Language/Standard-estonian/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-counting
Welcome to the lesson on Standard Estonian Vocabulary → Numbers and Counting! Understanding numbers is essential for everyday communication, whether you're shopping, telling time, or just counting objects. In this lesson, we will take a deep dive into Estonian numbers from 1 to 100, exploring their pronunciation and usage in various contexts. By the end of this lesson, you will be comfortable with counting in Estonian and using numbers in your daily conversations.
Importance of Numbers in Estonian
Numbers are foundational elements of any language. They help us quantify, measure, and navigate through daily life. In Estonian, numbers are not only used for counting but also play a role in expressing time, prices, and quantities. Mastering numbers will significantly enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Estonian.
Structure of the Lesson
This lesson is structured as follows:
- Introduction to Numbers: We will cover the basic numbers from 1 to 10, followed by 11 to 100.
- Examples: Each number will be illustrated with examples to help you understand their pronunciation and context.
- Exercises: We will practice what we've learned with interactive exercises, complete with solutions for self-assessment.
Introduction to Numbers
Numbers 1 to 10
Let’s start with the numbers from 1 to 10. Here’s a useful table to help you get familiar with their pronunciation and English translations:
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| üks | [ʏks] | one |
| kaks | [kɑks] | two |
| kolm | [kɔlm] | three |
| neli | [ˈne.li] | four |
| viis | [viːs] | five |
| kuus | [kuːs] | six |
| seitse | [ˈseɪ.t͡sɛ] | seven |
| kaheksa | [ˈkɑ.ħɛk.sɑ] | eight |
| üheksa | [ˈy.ɪɡ.sɑ] | nine |
| kümme | [ˈkʏ.mɛ] | ten |
Numbers 11 to 20
Continuing on, here are the numbers from 11 to 20:
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| üksteist | [ˈʏks.teɪst] | eleven |
| kaksteist | [ˈkɑks.teɪst] | twelve |
| kolmteist | [ˈkɔlm.teɪst] | thirteen |
| neliteist | [ˈne.li.teɪst] | fourteen |
| viisteist | [ˈviːs.teɪst] | fifteen |
| kuusteist | [ˈkuːs.teɪst] | sixteen |
| seitseteist | [ˈseɪt͡sɛ.teɪst] | seventeen |
| kaheksateist | [ˈkɑ.ħɛk.sɑ.teɪst] | eighteen |
| üheksateist | [ˈy.ɪɡ.sɑ.teɪst] | nineteen |
| kakskümmend | [ˈkɑks.kʏ.mɛnd] | twenty |
Numbers 21 to 100
Now, let’s explore how we form numbers from 21 to 100. Numbers 21-29 are formed by combining "kakskümmend" (twenty) with the numbers 1-9. For example:
- 21: kakskümmend üks [ˈkɑks.kʏ.mɛnd ʏks] (twenty-one)
- 22: kakskümmend kaks [ˈkɑks.kʏ.mɛnd kɑks] (twenty-two)
- Continue this pattern up to 29.
Here’s how the tens are structured:
- 30: kolmkümmend [ˈkɔlm.kʏ.mɛnd]
- 40: nelikümmend [ˈne.li.kʏ.mɛnd]
- 50: viiskümmend [ˈviːs.kʏ.mɛnd]
- 60: kuuskümmend [ˈkuːs.kʏ.mɛnd]
- 70: seitsekümmend [ˈseɪt͡sɛ.kʏ.mɛnd]
- 80: kaheksakümmend [ˈkɑ.ħɛk.sɑ.kʏ.mɛnd]
- 90: üheksakümmend [ˈy.ɪɡ.sɑ.kʏ.mɛnd]
- 100: sada [ˈsɑ.dɑ]
And we can demonstrate this pattern in a table:
| Standard Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| kakskümmend üks | [ˈkɑks.kʏ.mɛnd ʏks] | twenty-one |
| kakskümmend kaks | [ˈkɑks.kʏ.mɛnd kɑks] | twenty-two |
| kakskümmend kolm | [ˈkɑks.kʏ.mɛnd kɔlm] | twenty-three |
| kakskümmend neli | [ˈkɑks.kʏ.mɛnd ˈne.li] | twenty-four |
| kakskümmend viis | [ˈkɑks.kʏ.mɛnd viːs] | twenty-five |
| kolmkümmend | [ˈkɔlm.kʏ.mɛnd] | thirty |
| nelikümmend | [ˈne.li.kʏ.mɛnd] | forty |
| viiskümmend | [ˈviːs.kʏ.mɛnd] | fifty |
| kuuskümmend | [ˈkuːs.kʏ.mɛnd] | sixty |
| seitsekümmend | [ˈseɪt͡sɛ.kʏ.mɛnd] | seventy |
| kaheksakümmend | [ˈkɑ.ħɛk.sɑ.kʏ.mɛnd] | eighty |
| üheksakümmend | [ˈy.ɪɡ.sɑ.kʏ.mɛnd] | ninety |
| sada | [ˈsɑ.dɑ] | one hundred |
Practice Exercises
Now that we've covered the essential numbers, it's time to practice! Below are some exercises designed to reinforce what you've learned.
Exercise 1: Number Recognition
Match the Estonian numbers to their English equivalents.
1. 5
2. 12
3. 18
4. 21
5. 100
Answers:
- 1: viis
- 2: kaksteist
- 3: kaheksateist
- 4: kakskümmend üks
- 5: sada
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks
Complete the sentences with the correct Estonian numbers.
1. Ma nägin ___ (five) koera.
2. Mul on ___ (three) õuna.
3. Ta ostis ___ (twenty) raamatut.
Answers:
1. viit
2. kolm
3. kakskümmend
Exercise 3: Counting Objects
Count the objects and write the number in Estonian.
- Apples: 🍏🍏🍏🍏🍏
- Books: 📚📚📚
- Cars: 🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗🚗
Answers:
- Apples: viis
- Books: kolm
- Cars: seitse
Exercise 4: Time to Tell the Time
What time is it if you say "kaks" in Estonian?
Answer: "Kaks" means "two," so it would be 2:00.
Exercise 5: Number Combinations
Combine the Estonian tens and units to form the correct numbers.
1. 34
2. 57
3. 82
Answers:
1. kolmkümmend neli
2. viiskümmend seitse
3. kaheksakümmend kaks
Exercise 6: Translate the Numbers
Translate the following English numbers to Estonian.
1. twenty-three
2. forty-five
3. sixty-nine
Answers:
1. kakskümmend kolm
2. nelikümmend viis
3. kuuskümmend üheksa
Exercise 7: Number Sequence
What comes next in this sequence? 1, 2, 3, ___
Answer: 4 (neli)
Exercise 8: Word Problems
Solve the following problem:
If you have 2 apples and you buy 5 more, how many do you have in Estonian?
Answer: Seitsme õuna. (seven apples)
Exercise 9: Choose the Correct Number
Choose the correct Estonian number for the following quantities:
- How many days are in a week?
- How many fingers do you have on one hand?
Answers:
- seitse (seven)
- viis (five)
Exercise 10: Listening Practice
Listen to the teacher say the following numbers and write them down in Estonian:
- 13
- 25
- 99
Answers:
- 13: kolmteist
- 25: kakskümmend viis
- 99: üheksakümmend üheksa
Conclusion
You have now completed the lesson on Standard Estonian Vocabulary for Numbers and Counting! Remember that practice makes perfect. Continue using numbers in your daily life to reinforce your learning. Whether it's counting items, telling time, or discussing prices, the more you use Estonian numbers, the more comfortable you'll become.
Keep practicing, and soon enough, numbers will become second nature to you in Estonian!
Other Lessons
- Time
- Greetings and introductions
- Count to 10
- How to say Good Bye?
- Animal
- Airport
- Animals
- Family and friends
- Weather