Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Give-your-Opinion

Standard Estonian Grammar - Give your Opinion

Hi Standard Estonian learners! 😊
In this lesson, we will learn how to give our opinion in Standard Estonian. Giving opinions is an important part of communication, especially when it comes to expressing your thoughts and feelings on a particular topic. We will explore different ways to express your opinion in Standard Estonian and provide examples for each. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to confidently express your opinion on a variety of topics in Standard Estonian. Let's get started! 🚀

Take a moment to explore these relevant pages as you conclude this lesson: How to Use Be & Questions.

Basic Vocabulary

Before we dive into expressing opinions, let's start with some basic vocabulary to help us express what we are thinking or feeling.

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
Arvamus	[ˈɑrvɑmus]	Opinion
Meelsus	[ˈmeelsus]	Mood
Tundma	[ˈtundmɑ]	Feel
Arvata	[ˈɑrvɑtɑ]	Think
Uskuma	[ˈuskumɑ]	Believe
Ilmselt	[ˈilmseɫt]	Obviously

Expressing Opinions

In Standard Estonian, there are a variety of phrases that can be used to express your opinion. Some examples include:

Ma arvan, et ... (I think that…)

This is a basic phrase to express your opinion. Simply state your opinion by using the phrase “Ma arvan, et…” followed by your opinion.

• Example:

  * Person 1: Milline on sinu arvamus Eesti loodusest? (What is your opinion on Estonian nature?)
  * Person 2: Ma arvan, et Eesti loodus on väga kaunis. (I think that Estonian nature is very beautiful.)

Minu arvates ... (In my opinion…)

This phrase is used to introduce your opinion and is a way of expressing that this is just your opinion.

• Example:

  * Person 1: Milline on sinu arvamus Eesti poliitikast? (What is your opinion on Estonian politics?)
  * Person 2: Minu arvates on Eesti poliitika väga huvitav. (In my opinion, Estonian politics are very interesting.)

Mulle tundub, et ... (It seems to me that…)

This phrase is useful for when you are not entirely certain that your opinion is correct.

• Example:

  * Person 1: Mis on sinu arvamus Eesti majandusest? (What is your opinion on Estonian economy?)
  * Person 2: Mulle tundub, et Eesti majandus on praegu tõusuteel. (It seems to me that Estonian economy is currently on an upward trajectory.)

Ma usun, et ... (I believe that…)

This phrase can be used to express a strong belief in something.

• Example:

  * Person 1: Mis on sinu arvamus virtuaalreaalsusest? (What is your opinion on virtual reality?)
  * Person 2: Ma usun, et virtuaalreaalsus on tuleviku tehnoloogia. (I believe that virtual reality is the future technology.)

Ilmselt ... (Obviously...)

This phrase suggests that what you are saying is an obvious fact.

• Example:

  * Person 1: Mis on sinu arvamus Eesti jõulutraditsioonidest? (What is your opinion on Estonian Christmas traditions?)
  * Person 2: Ilmselt on Eesti jõulud ühed kõige ilusamad ja hubasemad jõulud maailmas. (Obviously, Estonian Christmas is one of the most beautiful and cosy Christmases in the world.)

You can also use adjectives or adverbs to express your opinion:

• Mulle meeldib… (I like…)
• Ma ei meeldi… (I don't like…)
• Ma armastan… (I love…)
• Ma vihkan… (I hate…)
• Ma imetlen… (I admire…)
• Ma ei salli… (I can't stand…)

Dialogue

Let's see an example of a dialogue to express opinions:

• Person 1: Mida sa arvad Eesti superstaari saatest? (What do you think of Estonian Idol?)
• Person 2: Minu arvates on see üks parimaid saateid, mis Eestis eales tehtud! (In my opinion, it is one of the best shows ever made in Estonia!)
• Person 1: Mulle tundub, et kohtunikud on liiga karmid. (It seems to me that the judges are too harsh.)
• Person 2: Vastupidi, ma arvan, et kohtunikud on äärmiselt ausad ja õiglased. (On the contrary, I think that the judges are extremely honest and fair.)

Conclusion

Now you have learned different ways to express your opinion in Standard Estonian. You can also practice your newly learned skills on the Polyglot Club website, where you can find native speakers and ask them any questions you might have. For more information about Standard Estonian Grammar, visit the Grammar page. Keep practicing and soon enough, you will be expressing your opinion like a pro in Standard Estonian!

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➡ If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments section below.
➡ Feel free to edit this wiki page if you think it can be improved. 😎

Now that you've completed this lesson, don't stop learning! Check out these related topics: Cases and pronouns & Gender.

Other Lessons

• Conditional Mood
• Negation
• Questions
• Future Tense
• Adjectives
• How to Use Have
• Adverbs
• Articles
• Gender

Sources

• Standard-estonian Grammar - Conditional Mood