Difference between revisions of "Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Cases-and-pronouns"

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As a Standard Estonian language teacher for the past 20 years, I have noticed that one of the most challenging aspects of the Estonian language for beginners is the use of cases and pronouns. However, understanding these grammar concepts is essential to effectively communicate in Estonian. In this lesson, we will explore the Estonian cases and how to use them with pronouns. By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of these grammar concepts and be able to use them in your daily conversations.
As a Standard Estonian language teacher for the past 20 years, I have noticed that one of the most challenging aspects of the Estonian language for beginners is the use of cases and pronouns. However, understanding these grammar concepts is essential to effectively communicate in Estonian. In this lesson, we will explore the Estonian cases and how to use them with pronouns. By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of these grammar concepts and be able to use them in your daily conversations.


<span link>After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Adjectives-and-comparison|Adjectives and comparison]] & [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Future-Tense|Future Tense]].</span>
== Estonian Cases ==
== Estonian Cases ==


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In the above example, "Isa" is in the nominative case, because it is the subject of the sentence.
In the above example, "Isa" is in the nominative case, because it is the subject of the sentence.


=== Genitive Case ===
=== Genitive Case ===
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In the above example, "isa" (father) is in the genitive case because it indicates possession.
In the above example, "isa" (father) is in the genitive case because it indicates possession.


=== Partitive Case ===
=== Partitive Case ===
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In the above example, "piim" (milk) is in the partitive case because it indicates an indefinite object.
In the above example, "piim" (milk) is in the partitive case because it indicates an indefinite object.


=== Inessive Case ===
=== Inessive Case ===
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In the above example, "maj" (house) is in the inessive case because it indicates the position of the children.
In the above example, "maj" (house) is in the inessive case because it indicates the position of the children.


=== Elative Case ===
=== Elative Case ===
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In the above example, "maj" (house) is in the elative case as it indicates the origin of the person who came.
In the above example, "maj" (house) is in the elative case as it indicates the origin of the person who came.


These are only five of the 14 cases in Estonian, but mastering them is an important step towards fluency in the language.  
These are only five of the 14 cases in Estonian, but mastering them is an important step towards fluency in the language.  
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| Nemad || NEH-mahd || They
| Nemad || NEH-mahd || They
|}
|}


Here are the same personal pronouns with the accusative and genitive cases:
Here are the same personal pronouns with the accusative and genitive cases:
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| Nemad (genitive) || NEH-mahd || Their
| Nemad (genitive) || NEH-mahd || Their
|}
|}


Once you master the cases and the pronouns, you can start building sentences and having basic conversations in Estonian. Practice is key to success, so make sure you try using the cases and pronouns as much as you can in your daily life.
Once you master the cases and the pronouns, you can start building sentences and having basic conversations in Estonian. Practice is key to success, so make sure you try using the cases and pronouns as much as you can in your daily life.


I hope you enjoyed this lesson and found it valuable in your journey to becoming proficient in Estonian!
I hope you enjoyed this lesson and found it valuable in your journey to becoming proficient in Estonian!


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
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==Other Lessons==
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
==Related Lessons==
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Nouns-and-possessive-suffixes|Nouns and possessive suffixes]]
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Nouns-and-possessive-suffixes|Nouns and possessive suffixes]]
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Nouns|Nouns]]
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Nouns|Nouns]]
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{{Standard-estonian-Page-Bottom}}
{{Standard-estonian-Page-Bottom}}
<span maj></span> <span gpt></span> <span model=gpt-3.5-turbo></span>
<span maj></span> <span gpt></span> <span model=gpt-3.5-turbo></span>
<span links></span>

Revision as of 23:08, 27 March 2023

Estonia-Timeline-PolyglotClub.jpg
Standard EstonianGrammar → Cases and pronouns

As a Standard Estonian language teacher for the past 20 years, I have noticed that one of the most challenging aspects of the Estonian language for beginners is the use of cases and pronouns. However, understanding these grammar concepts is essential to effectively communicate in Estonian. In this lesson, we will explore the Estonian cases and how to use them with pronouns. By the end of this lesson, you will have a better understanding of these grammar concepts and be able to use them in your daily conversations.


After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Adjectives and comparison & Future Tense.

Estonian Cases

In Estonian, cases are used to indicate the grammatical function of a noun or pronoun in a sentence. There are 14 cases in the Estonian language, each with its own suffix. This may seem overwhelming, but don't worry, we will start by introducing you to the five most commonly used cases.

Nominative Case

The nominative case is used for the subject of a sentence. It answers the question "who/what".

For example:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English
Isa EE-sah Father

In the above example, "Isa" is in the nominative case, because it is the subject of the sentence.

Genitive Case

The genitive case indicates possession, and is used to answer the question "whose".

For example:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English
Isa maja EE-sah MAH-yah Father's house

In the above example, "isa" (father) is in the genitive case because it indicates possession.

Partitive Case

The partitive case indicates a part of a whole, and is used to answer the question "what/whom". It is also used for indefinite objects of a verb.

For example:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English
Ma armastan piima Mah ARM-ah-stahn PEEL-mah I love milk

In the above example, "piim" (milk) is in the partitive case because it indicates an indefinite object.

Inessive Case

The inessive case is used to indicate location or position inside something, and is used to answer the question "where".

For example:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English
Lapsed on majas LAHP-sed ohn MAH-yahs The children are in the house.

In the above example, "maj" (house) is in the inessive case because it indicates the position of the children.

Elative Case

The elative case indicates a movement from inside something, and is used to answer the question "from where/what".

For example:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English
Ta tuli majast Tah TOO-lee MAH-yahst He came from the house.

In the above example, "maj" (house) is in the elative case as it indicates the origin of the person who came.

These are only five of the 14 cases in Estonian, but mastering them is an important step towards fluency in the language.

Pronouns

Pronouns are words that replace nouns or other pronouns in a sentence. In Estonian, pronouns also have cases, but the declension is more straightforward than for nouns.

Here are the personal pronouns in the nominative case:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English
Mina MEE-nah I
Sina SEE-nah You (singular, informal)
Tema TAH-mah He/She/It
Meie MAY-eh We
Teie TAY-eh You (plural, formal or informal)
Nemad NEH-mahd They

Here are the same personal pronouns with the accusative and genitive cases:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English
Mina (accusative) MEE-nah Me (direct object), or to/at me (indirect object)
Mina (genitive) MEE-nah My
Sina (accusative) SEE-nah You (singular, informal), or to/at you (indirect object)
Sina (genitive) SEE-nah Your
Tema (accusative) TAH-mah Him/Her/It (direct object), or to/at him/her/it (indirect object)
Tema (genitive) TAH-mah His/Her/Its
Meie (accusative) MAY-eh Us (direct object), or to/at us (indirect object)
Meie (genitive) MAY-eh Our
Teie (accusative) TAY-eh You (plural, formal or informal), or to/at you (indirect object)
Teie (genitive) TAY-eh Your
Nemad (accusative) NEH-mahd Them (direct object), or to/at them (indirect object)
Nemad (genitive) NEH-mahd Their

Once you master the cases and the pronouns, you can start building sentences and having basic conversations in Estonian. Practice is key to success, so make sure you try using the cases and pronouns as much as you can in your daily life.

I hope you enjoyed this lesson and found it valuable in your journey to becoming proficient in Estonian!

Other Lessons