Language/Standard-estonian/Vocabulary/Common-Greetings
| Next Lesson — Basic Sentence Structure ▶️ |
Greetings and Introductions are essential in any language. Whether you are meeting someone for the first time or greeting a friend, learning how to say hello and goodbye is a basic skill that you will need in your everyday life. In this lesson, you will learn how to greet someone in Estonian, including how to say hello, goodbye, good morning, and good night.
Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: Modes of Transportation & Hobbies and Free Time.
Common Greetings
One of the first things you will want to learn in Estonian is how to greet people. Below are some common greetings in Estonian:
| Estonian | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tere | TEH-reh | Hello |
| Tere hommikust | TEH-reh HOH-mee-koost | Good morning |
| Tere päevast | TEH-reh PAY-vahst | Good afternoon |
| Tere õhtust | TEH-reh EUH-tuhst | Good evening |
| Head ööd | HED ERD | Good night |
| Nägemist | NAI-ge-mist | Goodbye / See you later |
| Head aega | HED AH-yeh-ga | Goodbye / Farewell |
Notes
- In Estonian, like in many other languages, there are different ways to greet someone depending on the time of day. For instance, "Tere päevast" is used during the daytime while "Tere õhtust" is used in the evening. - "Nägemist" and "Head aega" can both be used to say goodbye; "Head aega" means "goodbye" or "farewell" in a more formal way.
Example Sentences
Here are some example sentences to help you practice using the common greetings in Estonian:
- Tere! Kuidas sul läheb? (Hello! How are you?)
- Tere hommikust! Kas sa oled juba hommikusööki söönud? (Good morning! Have you already had breakfast?)
- Tere päevast! Mida sa täna teed? (Good afternoon! What are you doing today?)
- Tere õhtust! Kuidas oli su päev? (Good evening! How was your day?)
- Head ööd! Näeme homme! (Good night! See you tomorrow!)
- Nägemist! (Goodbye!)
- Head aega! (Goodbye / Farewell!)
Culture and Usage
In Estonian culture, it is common to greet people with a handshake. This applies to both informal and formal situations. When you greet someone, it is also polite to make eye contact and smile.
If you are meeting someone for the first time, it is customary to introduce yourself. In Estonian, you can say "Minu nimi on..." which means "My name is...". You can also ask for someone's name by saying "Kuidas teie nimi on?" which means "What is your name?".
When leaving, it is polite to say "Head aega" or "Nägemist". You can also add "Kohtumiseni!" which means "See you soon!" or "We'll meet again!".
Remember that proper etiquette is important in Estonia, especially in business and formal situations. Make sure to greet people appropriately based on the time of day and the situation you are in.
Conclusion
In this lesson, you have learned some common Estonian greetings and farewells. By practicing these phrases, you can greet people in Estonian with confidence and politeness. Always remember to make eye contact and smile, and you will make a positive impression on your Estonian friends and colleagues. Congratulations on completing this lesson in the Complete 0 to A1 Standard Estonian Course!
With this lesson finished, you may want to explore these additional pages: Daily Routine & Food and drink.
Other Lessons
- Greetings and introductions
- Home and Furniture
- Count to 10
- Numbers and counting
- Eating Out
- Transportation and travel
- Family and friends
- Education
- Animal
- Telling Time
| Next Lesson — Basic Sentence Structure ▶️ |