Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Nouns-and-possessive-suffixes

Standard Estonian Grammar → Introduction to Estonian grammar → Nouns and possessive suffixes

As a Standard Estonian language teacher with 20 years of experience, I am excited to teach you about nouns and possessive suffixes in Estonian. This lesson is part of a larger course titled "Complete 0 to A1 Standard Estonian Course." By the end of this lesson, you will learn how to form and use nouns and possessive suffixes in multiple contexts.

Introduction

Nouns are one of the primary building blocks of the Estonian language. They are used to name things, people, and ideas. Understanding and employing possessive suffixes is equally essential when constructing your sentences in Estonian. Nouns and their possessive suffixes are fundamental components of Estonian grammar that every beginner must learn.

Basic knowledge on Estonian nouns

In Estonian, like in many other languages, nouns fall under three different genders, namely the masculine, feminine and neutral. However, Estonian is unique because every noun falls into one of 14 cases. That said, the basic forms of a noun are the nominative and genitive case.

When we speak of a nominative noun, we refer to the subject of the sentence. A genitive noun, on the other hand, is used to show possession. When you add the genitive suffix, the noun changes its ending. The genitive suffix for masculine nouns will be -e, while its ending changes to -u in feminine nouns and -a in neuter ones.

Here's a clear example:

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
poiss (boy)	[poi-s]	boy (nominative)
poisi	[poi-si]	boy's (genitive)

As you can see, the noun "poiss" changed to "poisi," indicating that it is in the genitive case. This change in the ending is crucial.

Understanding Estonian Possessive Suffixes

Possessive suffixes in Estonian always follow the genitive form of the noun.

For example:

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
tüdruk (girl)	[ty-ru-k]	girl (nominative)
tüdruku	[ty-ru-ku]	girl's (genitive case)
tüdruku isa	[ty-ru-ku -i-sa]	girl's father (possessive)

Notice how the last form changes from “tüdruk” to “tüdruku” to show possession. We add the possessive suffix “isa” to the genitive form “tüdruku” to produce “tüdruku isa,” which means “girl's father.”

The possessive suffixes in Estonian rely on the gender and the number of the noun. Different suffixes will be used for singular, plural, and for each of the three genders. Thus it's crucial to master the forms.

Below are the possessive suffixes for the three genders in the singular form.

Singular	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter
Possessive suffix	-a	-e	-i

And here are the suffixes in the plural form:

Plural	Masculine	Feminine	Neuter
Possessive suffix	-de	-te	-de

These suffixes are added to the end of the genitive case of the noun to show possession.

Let's see another example:

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
ema (mother)	[e-ma]	mother (nominative)
ema	[e-ma]	mother's (genitive)
ema raamat	[e-ma raa-mat]	Mother's book (possessive)

In the last form, we add possessive suffix "raamat" to the genitive form "ema" to form "ema raamat," which means "mother's book."

It's also noteworthy to understand that using possessive expressions to show ownership may not be a habit or a tradition in some countries, and different forms of ownership may be used. In Estonia, using possessive forms is a common practice, and it will be essential to master the proper use of possessive suffixes if you want to converse effectively with an Estonian speaker.

Tips for mastering Estonian nouns and possessive suffixes

Here are some tips that can help you learn and master Estonian nouns and possessive suffixes:

• Memorize the genitive endings for various noun genders. This will help you form different forms of a noun.
• Watch Estonian movies, listen to Estonian audio materials, and practice with a native speaker to familiarize yourself with the different gender possessive suffixes and how they are used in context.
• When practicing possession expressions, think about the nouns and phrases that you frequently use or encounter in your daily life to help you understand how these expressions work in different situations.

Conclusion

Mastering Estonian nouns and possessive suffixes can be challenging, but with consistent practice and dedication, it can be done. Remember that every Estonian noun has a certain gender, and it can fall under one of 14 cases. By mastering these concepts, you will be able to communicate effectively in Estonian and have meaningful conversations with native speakers.

I hope this lesson has been informative and helps you in your journey towards learning Estonian. Keep practicing and always ask questions when you're unsure about the correct usage of nouns and possessive suffixes. Estonians are always ready to help and encourage learners of their language.

Table of Contents - Standard Estonian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

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Introduction to Estonian

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Cases
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

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Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

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Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Hobbies and Free Time

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Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Declension
• Adverbs

  ---

Food and Dining

• Food and Drinks
• Eating Out

  ---

Estonian Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

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Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

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At Home and Work

• Home and Furniture
• Work and Professions

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Estonian History

• Historical Overview
• Estonian Language History

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Negation and Questions

• Negation
• Question Words and Formation

Related Lessons

• Adverbs
• Conditional Mood
• Articles
• Pronouns
• Cases and pronouns
• Verb to be and personal pronouns
• Negation
• Give your Opinion
• Gender