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{{Standard-estonian-Page-Top}}
{{Standard-estonian-Page-Top}}
<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Standard-estonian|Standard Estonian]]  → [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Adjectives and comparison</div>
Welcome to our lesson on '''Adjectives and Comparison''' in Standard Estonian! This is an exciting step in your journey toward mastering the Estonian language. Why are adjectives important, you ask? Adjectives add color and depth to our conversations, allowing us to describe people, places, and things more vividly. They help you express opinions, share experiences, and make comparisons, which are essential in everyday communication.
In this lesson, we will explore:
* The formation and usage of adjectives in Estonian.
* The rules for comparing adjectives, including the comparative and superlative forms.
* A variety of examples to illustrate these concepts.
* Engaging exercises to practice what you've learned.


<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Standard-estonian|Standard Estonian]]  → [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar|Grammar]] → Adjectives and comparison</div>
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As a Standard Estonian language teacher with over 20 years of experience, I am excited to be teaching you about adjectives and comparison in Estonian. In this lesson, we will cover everything from the basics of adjectives to more complex comparisons in the language. Whether you are just starting out with Estonian, or looking to brush up on your knowledge, this lesson is perfect for you.  
=== Adjectives in Estonian ===
 
Estonian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in terms of case, number, and gender. This means that the ending of the adjective changes depending on the noun it describes.


== Adjectives in Estonian ==
==== Basic Formation of Adjectives ====
Adjectives are an essential part of any language, and Estonian is no exception. Adjectives are used to describe a noun, and they usually come before the noun in the sentence. In Estonian, adjectives have different endings depending on whether the noun they describe is in the singular or plural form, and what case it is in.


Here is an example of how adjectives work in Estonian:  
In Estonian, adjectives can be formed in several ways, but they typically have a root and can take various endings. Here are some common adjectives:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| ilus || ˈilʊs || beautiful
|-
| suur || suːr || big
|-
| väike || ˈvɛi̯kɛ || small
|-
| kiire || ˈkiːrɛ || fast
|-
|-
| Sinine kass || si-ni-ne kass || Blue cat
 
| aeglane || ˈæɡlɑnɛ || slow
 
|-
 
| kallis || ˈkɑlːis || expensive
 
|-
 
| odav || ˈodɑv || cheap
 
|-
 
| rõõmus || ˈrɤːmus || happy
 
|-
 
| kurb || kurb || sad
 
|-
 
| tark || tɑrk || smart
 
|}
|}


In this example, "sinine" is the adjective, describing the cat as blue. Notice how the word "sinine" changes depending on the gender of the noun. If this were a plural sentence, the adjective ending would change again.
As you can see, Estonian adjectives often follow a simple and consistent pattern. Let's dive deeper into how these adjectives work with nouns!


In Estonian, adjectives also change depending on what case the noun is in. This can be a bit tricky to get used to, but with practice, it will become second nature.
==== Adjective Agreement ====


== Comparison in Estonian ==
Estonian adjectives must agree with the nouns in case, number, and gender. This is achieved through declension. Here’s how the adjective "ilus" (beautiful) changes with different nouns:
Once you have mastered the basics of adjectives, it's time to move on to comparison. Comparisons are used to compare two or more things and can be done in a few different ways in Estonian.


One way to make comparisons in Estonian is by using the words "rohkem" (more) and "vähem" (less). Here's an example:  
{| class="wikitable"
 
! Noun !! Adjective !! Case !! Translation
 
|-
 
| tüdruk || ilus tüdruk || nominative singular || beautiful girl
 
|-
 
| poisid || ilusad poisid || nominative plural || beautiful boys
 
|-
 
| tüdruku || ilusa tüdruku || genitive singular || of a beautiful girl
 
|-
 
| poiste || ilusa poiste || genitive plural || of beautiful boys
 
|}
 
As you can see, the adjective “ilus” changes its form depending on the noun it describes.
 
=== Comparison of Adjectives ===
 
Comparing adjectives is essential in any language. In Estonian, we use different forms of adjectives to indicate comparison: '''comparative''' and '''superlative'''.
 
==== Comparative Form ====
 
The comparative form is used when comparing two entities. In Estonian, it often involves adding the suffix '''-m''' or '''-em''' to the base adjective. Here are some examples:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| ilusam || ˈilʊsɑm || more beautiful
|-
| suurem || ˈsuːrɛm || bigger
|-
| väiksem || ˈvɛi̯ksem || smaller
|-
| kiirem || ˈkiːrɛm || faster
|-
| aeglasem || ˈæɡlɑsɛm || slower
|-
| kallim || ˈkɑlːim || more expensive
|-
| odavam || ˈodɑvɑm || cheaper
|-
| rõõmsam || ˈrɤːmsɑm || happier
|-
| kurvem || ˈkurvɛm || sadder
|-
|-
| Ma jooksen rohkem kui sina || Ma jook-sen ro-khem kui si-na || I run more than you
 
| targem || ˈtɑrɡɛm || smarter
 
|}
|}


In this sentence, we are using the word "rohkem" to compare how much two people run. The word "kui" means "than" in English, so "rohkem kui" translates to "more than."
In these examples, you can see how the adjectives change to reflect a comparative meaning.


Another way to make comparisons is to use the words "nii...kui" (as...as). Here's an example:  
==== Superlative Form ====
 
The superlative form is used to describe the highest degree of an adjective. In Estonian, this usually involves adding the suffix '''-aim''' or '''-im'''. Here are some examples:


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
|-
| See koer on nii kiire kui kass || See koer on nii ki-re kui kass || This dog is as fast as a cat
 
| ilusaim || ˈilʊsɑim || most beautiful
 
|-
 
| suurim || ˈsuːrim || biggest
 
|-
 
| väikseim || ˈvɛi̯kseim || smallest
 
|-
 
| kiirem || ˈkiːrɛm || fastest
 
|-
 
| aeglasem || ˈæɡlɑsɛm || slowest
 
|-
 
| kallim || ˈkɑlːim || most expensive
 
|-
 
| odavaim || ˈodɑvɑim || cheapest
 
|-
 
| rõõmsaim || ˈrɤːmsɑim || happiest
 
|-
 
| kurbaim || ˈkurbɑim || saddest
 
|-
 
| targem || ˈtɑrɡɛm || smartest
 
|}
|}


In this sentence, we are using "nii...kui" to compare how fast a dog is to a cat. The word "nii" means "as" in English, so "kiire kui" translates to "fast as."  
As you can see, the superlative form provides a way to express the highest level of an adjective.
 
=== Practice Exercises ===
 
Now that you have learned about adjectives and their comparative forms, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises that will help reinforce what you've learned.
 
=== Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks ===
 
Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the adjective in parentheses.
 
1. Maria is __________ (ilus) girl.
 
2. This house is __________ (suur) than that one.
 
3. This is the __________ (odav) restaurant in town.
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. Maria is '''ilus''' girl.
 
2. This house is '''suurem''' than that one.
 
3. This is the '''odavaim''' restaurant in town.
 
=== Exercise 2: Match the Adjective with Its Comparative Form ===
 
Match the adjectives on the left with their comparative form on the right.
 
1. ilus (a) ilusam 
 
2. suur (b) suurem 
 
3. väike (c) väiksem 
 
4. kallis (d) kallim 
 
''Solutions:''
 
1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d
 
=== Exercise 3: Create Sentences ===
 
Write sentences using the following adjectives in their comparative form:
 
1. kiire
 
2. kallis
 
3. rõõmus
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. This car is '''kiire''' than that one.
 
2. This dress is '''kallim''' than the other.
 
3. Maria is '''rõõmsam''' than her sister.
 
=== Exercise 4: Identify the Superlative Form ===
 
Identify the superlative form of the following adjectives:
 
1. suur
 
2. väike
 
3. kallis
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. '''suurim'''
 
2. '''väikseim'''
 
3. '''kallim'''
 
=== Exercise 5: True or False ===
 
Determine whether the statements are true or false.
 
1. "ilusaim" means "more beautiful."
 
2. "suurem" is the comparative form of "suur."
 
3. "odavaim" means "the cheapest."
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. False
 
2. True
 
3. True
 
=== Exercise 6: Translate the Sentences ===
 
Translate the following sentences into Estonian using the correct form of the adjectives.
 
1. She is the smartest student.
 
2. This apple is bigger than that one.
 
3. He is happier now.
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. Ta on kõige '''targem''' õpilane.
 
2. See õun on '''suurem''' kui too.
 
3. Ta on nüüd '''rõõmsam'''.
 
=== Exercise 7: Adjective Agreement Quiz ===
 
Choose the correct form of the adjective to complete the sentences.
 
1. See on __________ (ilus) maja. (ilusa, ilus)
 
2. Ma tahan __________ (kallis) auto. (kallim, kallis)
 
3. Nad on __________ (kurv) inimesed. (kurvad, kurb)
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. See on '''ilus''' maja.
 
2. Ma tahan '''kallim''' auto.
 
3. Nad on '''kurvad''' inimesed.
 
=== Exercise 8: Fill in the Comparative Form ===
 
Fill in the blanks using the comparative form of the adjectives in parentheses.
 
1. This book is __________ (huvitav) than that one.
 
2. My brother is __________ (noor) than I am.
 
3. This task is __________ (keeruline) than the last one.
 
''Solutions:''
 
1. This book is '''huvitavam''' than that one.
 
2. My brother is '''noorem''' than I am.
 
3. This task is '''keerulisem''' than the last one.
 
=== Exercise 9: Sentence Construction ===
 
Construct sentences using one adjective, its comparative, and its superlative form.
 
''Example:''


== Summary ==
* Adjective: kiire
In this lesson, we covered the basics of adjectives in Estonian and how to use them to describe nouns. We also looked at how to compare two or more things in Estonian using different structures like "rohkem" and "vähem," as well as "nii...kui." Keep practicing your Estonian adjectives and comparison skills, and you'll be speaking like a native in no time!  
 
* Comparative: kiirem
 
* Superlative: kiireim
 
''Solutions:''
 
* The car is '''kiire'''.
 
* This car is '''kiirem''' than that one.
 
* This is the '''kiireim''' car in the race.
 
=== Exercise 10: Role Play ===
 
In pairs, practice a conversation using adjectives and comparisons. Describe your favorite places, comparing them to others.
 
''Example:''
 
A: My favorite place is the beach. It's '''ilu'''.
 
B: But the mountains are '''kallim''' and '''suurem'''!
 
As you can see, understanding adjectives and their forms in Estonian opens up a world of expression. Whether you’re describing your day or comparing your favorite things, adjectives are essential in making your communication richer and more meaningful.
 
Keep practicing, and don't hesitate to revisit this lesson whenever you need to refresh your knowledge. Remember, learning a new language is a journey, and every step counts!


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|keywords=Estonian adjectives, Estonian comparison, Estonian language, adjectives in Estonian
|description=Master the Estonian adjectives and learn how to make comparisons in Estonian. In this lesson, you will learn everything from the basics to more complex comparisons in the language.
}}


|title=Mastering Estonian Adjectives and Comparison


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|description=In this lesson, you will learn the formation and comparison of adjectives in Standard Estonian, complete with examples and practice exercises.


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{{Template:Standard-estonian-0-to-A1-Course-TOC}}


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==Related Lessons==
==Other Lessons==
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Cases-and-pronouns|Cases and pronouns]]
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Cases-and-pronouns|Cases and pronouns]]
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Articles|Articles]]
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Articles|Articles]]
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* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Plurals|Plurals]]
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Plurals|Plurals]]
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have|How to Use Have]]
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/How-to-Use-Have|How to Use Have]]


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Latest revision as of 15:36, 1 August 2024


Estonia-Timeline-PolyglotClub.jpg
Standard EstonianGrammar0 to A1 Course → Adjectives and comparison

Welcome to our lesson on Adjectives and Comparison in Standard Estonian! This is an exciting step in your journey toward mastering the Estonian language. Why are adjectives important, you ask? Adjectives add color and depth to our conversations, allowing us to describe people, places, and things more vividly. They help you express opinions, share experiences, and make comparisons, which are essential in everyday communication.

In this lesson, we will explore:

  • The formation and usage of adjectives in Estonian.
  • The rules for comparing adjectives, including the comparative and superlative forms.
  • A variety of examples to illustrate these concepts.
  • Engaging exercises to practice what you've learned.

Adjectives in Estonian[edit | edit source]

Estonian adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in terms of case, number, and gender. This means that the ending of the adjective changes depending on the noun it describes.

Basic Formation of Adjectives[edit | edit source]

In Estonian, adjectives can be formed in several ways, but they typically have a root and can take various endings. Here are some common adjectives:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English
ilus ˈilʊs beautiful
suur suːr big
väike ˈvɛi̯kɛ small
kiire ˈkiːrɛ fast
aeglane ˈæɡlɑnɛ slow
kallis ˈkɑlːis expensive
odav ˈodɑv cheap
rõõmus ˈrɤːmus happy
kurb kurb sad
tark tɑrk smart

As you can see, Estonian adjectives often follow a simple and consistent pattern. Let's dive deeper into how these adjectives work with nouns!

Adjective Agreement[edit | edit source]

Estonian adjectives must agree with the nouns in case, number, and gender. This is achieved through declension. Here’s how the adjective "ilus" (beautiful) changes with different nouns:

Noun Adjective Case Translation
tüdruk ilus tüdruk nominative singular beautiful girl
poisid ilusad poisid nominative plural beautiful boys
tüdruku ilusa tüdruku genitive singular of a beautiful girl
poiste ilusa poiste genitive plural of beautiful boys

As you can see, the adjective “ilus” changes its form depending on the noun it describes.

Comparison of Adjectives[edit | edit source]

Comparing adjectives is essential in any language. In Estonian, we use different forms of adjectives to indicate comparison: comparative and superlative.

Comparative Form[edit | edit source]

The comparative form is used when comparing two entities. In Estonian, it often involves adding the suffix -m or -em to the base adjective. Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English
ilusam ˈilʊsɑm more beautiful
suurem ˈsuːrɛm bigger
väiksem ˈvɛi̯ksem smaller
kiirem ˈkiːrɛm faster
aeglasem ˈæɡlɑsɛm slower
kallim ˈkɑlːim more expensive
odavam ˈodɑvɑm cheaper
rõõmsam ˈrɤːmsɑm happier
kurvem ˈkurvɛm sadder
targem ˈtɑrɡɛm smarter

In these examples, you can see how the adjectives change to reflect a comparative meaning.

Superlative Form[edit | edit source]

The superlative form is used to describe the highest degree of an adjective. In Estonian, this usually involves adding the suffix -aim or -im. Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English
ilusaim ˈilʊsɑim most beautiful
suurim ˈsuːrim biggest
väikseim ˈvɛi̯kseim smallest
kiirem ˈkiːrɛm fastest
aeglasem ˈæɡlɑsɛm slowest
kallim ˈkɑlːim most expensive
odavaim ˈodɑvɑim cheapest
rõõmsaim ˈrɤːmsɑim happiest
kurbaim ˈkurbɑim saddest
targem ˈtɑrɡɛm smartest

As you can see, the superlative form provides a way to express the highest level of an adjective.

Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now that you have learned about adjectives and their comparative forms, it's time to put your knowledge to the test! Below are some exercises that will help reinforce what you've learned.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks[edit | edit source]

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the adjective in parentheses.

1. Maria is __________ (ilus) girl.

2. This house is __________ (suur) than that one.

3. This is the __________ (odav) restaurant in town.

Solutions:

1. Maria is ilus girl.

2. This house is suurem than that one.

3. This is the odavaim restaurant in town.

Exercise 2: Match the Adjective with Its Comparative Form[edit | edit source]

Match the adjectives on the left with their comparative form on the right.

1. ilus (a) ilusam

2. suur (b) suurem

3. väike (c) väiksem

4. kallis (d) kallim

Solutions:

1-a, 2-b, 3-c, 4-d

Exercise 3: Create Sentences[edit | edit source]

Write sentences using the following adjectives in their comparative form:

1. kiire

2. kallis

3. rõõmus

Solutions:

1. This car is kiire than that one.

2. This dress is kallim than the other.

3. Maria is rõõmsam than her sister.

Exercise 4: Identify the Superlative Form[edit | edit source]

Identify the superlative form of the following adjectives:

1. suur

2. väike

3. kallis

Solutions:

1. suurim

2. väikseim

3. kallim

Exercise 5: True or False[edit | edit source]

Determine whether the statements are true or false.

1. "ilusaim" means "more beautiful."

2. "suurem" is the comparative form of "suur."

3. "odavaim" means "the cheapest."

Solutions:

1. False

2. True

3. True

Exercise 6: Translate the Sentences[edit | edit source]

Translate the following sentences into Estonian using the correct form of the adjectives.

1. She is the smartest student.

2. This apple is bigger than that one.

3. He is happier now.

Solutions:

1. Ta on kõige targem õpilane.

2. See õun on suurem kui too.

3. Ta on nüüd rõõmsam.

Exercise 7: Adjective Agreement Quiz[edit | edit source]

Choose the correct form of the adjective to complete the sentences.

1. See on __________ (ilus) maja. (ilusa, ilus)

2. Ma tahan __________ (kallis) auto. (kallim, kallis)

3. Nad on __________ (kurv) inimesed. (kurvad, kurb)

Solutions:

1. See on ilus maja.

2. Ma tahan kallim auto.

3. Nad on kurvad inimesed.

Exercise 8: Fill in the Comparative Form[edit | edit source]

Fill in the blanks using the comparative form of the adjectives in parentheses.

1. This book is __________ (huvitav) than that one.

2. My brother is __________ (noor) than I am.

3. This task is __________ (keeruline) than the last one.

Solutions:

1. This book is huvitavam than that one.

2. My brother is noorem than I am.

3. This task is keerulisem than the last one.

Exercise 9: Sentence Construction[edit | edit source]

Construct sentences using one adjective, its comparative, and its superlative form.

Example:

  • Adjective: kiire
  • Comparative: kiirem
  • Superlative: kiireim

Solutions:

  • The car is kiire.
  • This car is kiirem than that one.
  • This is the kiireim car in the race.

Exercise 10: Role Play[edit | edit source]

In pairs, practice a conversation using adjectives and comparisons. Describe your favorite places, comparing them to others.

Example:

A: My favorite place is the beach. It's ilu.

B: But the mountains are kallim and suurem!

As you can see, understanding adjectives and their forms in Estonian opens up a world of expression. Whether you’re describing your day or comparing your favorite things, adjectives are essential in making your communication richer and more meaningful.

Keep practicing, and don't hesitate to revisit this lesson whenever you need to refresh your knowledge. Remember, learning a new language is a journey, and every step counts!

Table of Contents - Standard Estonian Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Introduction to Estonian


Greetings and Introductions


Nouns and Pronouns


Numbers and Time


Verbs and Tenses


Daily Activities


Adjectives and Adverbs


Food and Dining


Estonian Traditions


Travel and Transportation


Prepositions and Conjunctions


At Home and Work


Estonian History


Negation and Questions


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]