Language/Standard-estonian/Vocabulary/Numbers-and-counting

Standard Estonian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → 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!

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

• Time
• Greetings and introductions
• Count to 10
• How to say Good Bye?
• Animal
• Airport
• Animals
• Family and friends
• Weather