Language/Standard-estonian/Vocabulary/Greetings-and-introductions

Standard Estonian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Introduction to Estonian vocabulary → Greetings and introductions

Introduction

In this lesson, we will dive into the essential words and phrases for greeting and introducing oneself in Standard Estonian. Greetings and introductions are the building blocks of communication, and mastering them will enable you to connect with Estonian speakers on a personal level. Whether you are planning a trip to Estonia or simply interested in the Estonian language and culture, this lesson is perfect for beginners like you. By the end of this lesson, you will be equipped with the necessary vocabulary to initiate conversations and make a positive first impression in Estonian-speaking environments. So let's get started!

Greetings

Basic Greetings

Let's begin with the most common and essential greetings in Standard Estonian. These greetings can be used in both formal and informal settings. Take a look at the table below for the standard Estonian greetings along with their pronunciation and English translations:

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
Tere!	TE-re	Hello!
Tere hommikust!	TE-re HOM-mi-kust	Good morning!
Tere päevast!	TE-re PÄE-vast	Good day!
Tere õhtust!	TE-re ÕH-tust	Good evening!
Head ööd!	HEH-ad ÖÖD	Good night!

Now, let's break down these greetings:

- "Tere!" is the most common way to say "hello" in Estonian. It is a versatile greeting that can be used at any time of the day.

- "Tere hommikust!" is used specifically in the morning to greet someone. It literally translates to "Good morning!"

- "Tere päevast!" is a general greeting used throughout the day. It translates to "Good day!"

- "Tere õhtust!" is used in the evening to greet someone. It translates to "Good evening!"

- "Head ööd!" is the appropriate greeting when saying goodbye or wishing someone a good night.

These basic greetings will help you initiate conversations and make a positive first impression. Practice saying them out loud to familiarize yourself with the pronunciation.

Informal Greetings

In addition to the basic greetings, Estonians also use informal greetings among friends and acquaintances. These greetings are more casual and can help you establish a friendly rapport. Let's take a look at some examples:

• Tere tulemast! - Welcome!
• Tervist! - Hi! (informal)
• Hei! - Hey! (informal)
• Tsau! - Bye! (informal)

These informal greetings are commonly used in everyday conversations and can help you connect with Estonian speakers on a more personal level. Remember to use them appropriately based on the context and your relationship with the person you are greeting.

Introductions

Introducing Yourself

Now that you know how to greet someone in Estonian, it's time to learn how to introduce yourself. Here are a few key phrases to help you get started:

• Minu nimi on [Your Name]. - My name is [Your Name].
• Tere! Ma olen [Your Name]. - Hello! I am [Your Name].
• Rõõm tutvuda! - Nice to meet you!
• Kust sa pärit oled? - Where are you from?
• Ma olen pärit [Your Country]. - I am from [Your Country].
• Mis on sinu amet? - What is your occupation?
• Ma olen [Your Occupation]. - I am a [Your Occupation].

These phrases will enable you to introduce yourself confidently in Estonian-speaking environments. Practice saying them aloud and pay attention to the pronunciation to ensure clarity.

Greeting Others

Apart from introducing yourself, it's important to know how to greet others and ask for their names. Here are a few phrases you can use:

• Kuidas teie nimi on? - What is your name? (formal)
• Kuidas sinu nimi on? - What is your name? (informal)
• Mis su nimi on? - What is your name? (informal)
• Meeldiv tutvuda! - Nice to meet you! (formal)

Feel free to adapt these phrases based on the level of formality and familiarity with the person you are speaking to. Remember, making an effort to greet and introduce yourself in Estonian shows respect and genuine interest in the language and culture.

Cultural Insights

Estonia is a country known for its warm and friendly people. Greetings play an important role in Estonian culture, reflecting the values of respect and hospitality. When greeting someone, it is common to make eye contact, offer a firm handshake, and say "Tere!" with a genuine smile. Estonians appreciate politeness and appreciate when visitors make an effort to learn and use the local language.

It is also worth noting that Estonians value personal space and privacy. While greetings are important, it is not customary to engage in lengthy small talk or invade someone's personal space during initial encounters. Instead, a simple greeting followed by introductions is sufficient to start a conversation.

Historically, Estonia has been influenced by neighboring countries such as Sweden, Russia, and Germany. These influences are reflected in the Estonian language and culture, making it a fascinating blend of different traditions and customs. Understanding the cultural context behind greetings and introductions will not only enhance your language skills but also deepen your appreciation for Estonia's rich heritage.

Practice Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of greetings and introductions in Estonian. Try to answer each question or complete each scenario using the vocabulary and phrases you've learned so far.

1. Imagine you are meeting a new Estonian colleague for the first time. Write a short dialogue introducing yourself and asking for their name.

2. Fill in the blanks with the appropriate greeting: "Tere hommikust!", "Tere päevast!", or "Tere õhtust!" a) ________ is used when meeting someone in the morning. b) ________ is used when meeting someone during the day. c) ________ is used when meeting someone in the evening.

3. Match the following informal greetings with their English translations: a) Tervist! b) Hei! c) Tsau! d) Tere tulemast! 1) Hi! (informal) 2) Hey! (informal) 3) Bye! (informal) 4) Welcome!

4. Create a dialogue in which you greet a friend in an informal setting using one of the informal greetings mentioned earlier.

Solutions

1. Sample dialogue: You: Tere! Minu nimi on [Your Name]. Mis teie nimi on? Colleague: Tere! Meeldiv tutvuda! Minu nimi on [Colleague's Name].

2. a) Tere hommikust! is used when meeting someone in the morning.

  b) Tere päevast! is used when meeting someone during the day.
  c) Tere õhtust! is used when meeting someone in the evening.

3. a) Tervist! - Hi! (informal)

  b) Hei! - Hey! (informal)
  c) Tsau! - Bye! (informal)
  d) Tere tulemast! - Welcome!

4. Sample dialogue: You: Tervist! Kuidas läheb? Friend: Tsau! Kõik on hästi, aitäh! Kuidas sinul läheb?

Conclusion

Congratulations! You have completed the lesson on greetings and introductions in Standard Estonian. You now have a solid foundation for initiating conversations and making introductions in Estonian-speaking environments. Remember to practice these greetings and introductions regularly to reinforce your learning. In the next lesson, we will explore the numbers and counting in Estonian. Head aega! (Goodbye for now!)

Table of Contents - Standard Estonian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

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

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Hobbies and Free Time

  ---

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

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

At Home and Work

• Home and Furniture
• Work and Professions

  ---

Estonian History

• Historical Overview
• Estonian Language History

  ---

Negation and Questions

• Negation
• Question Words and Formation

Other Lessons

• Languages
• Drinks
• Education
• Family
• Clothes
• Work and employment
• Fruits
• Transportation and travel
• Health
• Idiomatic Expressions