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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Standard-estonian|Standard Estonian]]  → [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Negation and Questions → Question Words and Formation</div>
<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/Standard-estonian|Standard Estonian]]  → [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Negation and Questions → Question Words and Formation</div>


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==Question Words and Formation==
<h2>Introduction</h2>
 
In this lesson, we will explore the topic of forming questions in Estonian using question words and different sentence structures. Asking questions is an essential skill in any language, as it allows us to seek information, clarify understanding, and engage in meaningful conversations. By understanding how to form questions in Estonian, you will be able to communicate more effectively and confidently with native speakers.
 
Throughout this lesson, we will cover various question words and their usage, as well as the different sentence structures used to form questions. We will provide numerous examples and exercises to help you practice and reinforce your understanding. Additionally, we will explore any regional variations in the usage of question words and provide interesting cultural facts related to questioning in Estonian.
 
<h2>Question Words</h2>
 
Question words, also known as interrogative words, are used to ask specific types of questions. In Estonian, question words are similar to those in many other languages, such as English. Let's explore some common question words in Estonian:
 
<h3>Kes? (Who?)</h3>
 
The question word "kes" is used to ask about a person or people. It is equivalent to the English word "who." Here are some examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
| Kes see on? || [kɛs sɛː ɔn] || Who is this?
|-
| Kes on sinu parim sõber? || [kɛs ɔn sinu parim sɤbɛɾ] || Who is your best friend?
|-
| Kellega sa räägid? || [kɛllɛga sa raːgiːd] || Who are you talking to?
|}
 
<h3>Mis? (What?)</h3>
 
The question word "mis" is used to ask about things or objects. It is equivalent to the English word "what." Here are some examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
| Mis see on? || [mis sɛː ɔn] || What is this?
|-
| Mis on sinu lemmikvärv? || [mis ɔn sinu lɛmikʋæɾʋ] || What is your favorite color?
|-
| Mida sa teed? || [mida sa teːd] || What are you doing?
|}
 
<h3>Kuhu? (Where?)</h3>
 
The question word "kuhu" is used to ask about a location or destination. It is equivalent to the English word "where." Here are some examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
| Kuhu sa lähed? || [kuhu sa læːhɛd] || Where are you going?
|-
| Kuhu sa reisid? || [kuhu sa rei̯sid] || Where are you traveling to?
|-
| Kuhu sa tahad minna? || [kuhu sa tahad minːa] || Where do you want to go?
|}
 
<h3>Kuidas? (How?)</h3>
 
The question word "kuidas" is used to ask about the manner or way something is done. It is equivalent to the English word "how." Here are some examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
| Kuidas sa seda teed? || [kuidas sa sɛːda teːd] || How do you do it?
|-
| Kuidas sul läheb? || [kuidas sul læːhɛb] || How are you doing?
|-
| Kuidas ma sinna jõuan? || [kuidas ma sinːa jɤuan] || How do I get there?
|}
 
<h3>Miks? (Why?)</h3>
 
The question word "miks" is used to ask about the reason or cause of something. It is equivalent to the English word "why." Here are some examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
| Miks sa siia tulid? || [miks sa siːa tulid] || Why did you come here?
|-
| Miks sa ei taha tulla? || [miks sa ei taha tulla] || Why don't you want to come?
|-
| Miks see juhtus? || [miks sɛː ʒuhtus] || Why did that happen?
|}


<p>In this lesson, you will learn how to form questions in Estonian using question words and different sentence structures.</p>
<h3>Millal? (When?)</h3>


==Word Order==
The question word "millal" is used to ask about a specific time or moment. It is equivalent to the English word "when." Here are some examples:


<p>In Estonian, the word order of questions is generally the same as in statements. That means the word order is subject-verb-object (SVO).</p>
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
| Millal sa sünnipäeva tähistad? || [millal sa synːipæːʋa tæhistad] || When do you celebrate your birthday?
|-
| Millal sa koju lähed? || [millal sa koju læːhɛd] || When are you going home?
|-
| Millal see juhtus? || [millal sɛː ʒuhtus] || When did that happen?
|}


<p>For example:</p>
<h3>Kas? (Do/Did/Is/Are?)</h3>


<ul>
The question word "kas" is used to ask yes/no questions. It is equivalent to the English words "do," "did," "is," or "are." Here are some examples:
<li>Statement: Ma loen raamatut. (I am reading a book.)</li>
<li>Question: Kas sina loed ka raamatut? (Are you also reading a book?)</li>
</ul>


<p>However, there are some exceptions:</p>
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
| Kas sa tuled homme? || [kas sa tulɛd homːɛ] || Are you coming tomorrow?
|-
| Kas sulle meeldib see? || [kas sullɛ mɛːldib sɛː] || Do you like it?
|-
| Kas sa oled õnnelik? || [kas sa olɛd ɤnnɛlik] || Are you happy?
|}


<ul>
These are just a few examples of the question words used in Estonian. There are additional question words that we will explore in later lessons. It's important to practice using question words in different sentence structures to develop your understanding and fluency in forming questions.
<li>When using a question word, the question word comes first, followed by the verb and then the subject (QW-V-S). For example: Mida sa sööd? (What are you eating?)</li>


<li>When asking a yes/no question, the verb comes first, followed by the subject (V-S). For example: Kas sa tahad minna? (Do you want to go?)</li>
<h2>Question Formation</h2>


<li>When using the question word "mis" (what) as the subject of the question, the verb comes first, followed by "mis" and then the rest of the sentence. For example: Mis juhtus? (What happened?)</li>
In addition to question words, the formation of questions in Estonian involves different sentence structures. Let's explore some common ways of forming questions:


</ul>
<h3>Inversion</h3>


==Question Words==
One common way of forming questions in Estonian is through subject-verb inversion. This means that the verb and subject are switched in the sentence. Here are some examples:


<p>There are several question words in Estonian:</p>
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
| Sa räägid eesti keelt. || [sa raːgiːd ɛsti keːlt] || You speak Estonian.
|-
| Kas sa räägid eesti keelt? || [kas sa raːgiːd ɛsti keːlt] || Do you speak Estonian?
|-
| Ta läheb koju. || [ta læːhɛb koju] || He/She is going home.
|-
| Kas ta läheb koju? || [kas ta læːhɛb koju] || Is he/she going home?
|}


<ul>
As you can see, in the first sentence, the subject "sa" (you) comes before the verb "räägid" (speak). However, in the question, the verb "räägid" (speak) comes before the subject "sa" (you), resulting in the inverted word order.
<li>kes - who</li>
<li>mis - what</li>
<li>kus - where</li>
<li>millal - when</li>
<li>miks - why</li>
<li>kuidas - how</li>
<li>mitu - how many</li>
</ul>


<p>These question words are used to ask for specific information and are usually placed at the beginning of the sentence.</p>
It's important to note that subject-verb inversion is not always necessary to form a question in Estonian. In informal speech, questions can be formed without inversion by using question words or intonation.


==Question Formation==
<h3>Using Question Words</h3>


<p>As mentioned above, when using a question word, the question word comes first, followed by the verb and then the subject (QW-V-S).</p>
As we discussed earlier, question words play a crucial role in forming questions. By using question words, you can ask specific types of questions. Here are some examples:


<p>For example:</p>
{| class="wikitable"
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
|-
| Sa räägid eesti keelt. || [sa raːgiːd ɛsti keːlt] || You speak Estonian.
|-
| Mis keelt sa räägid? || [mis keːlt sa raːgiːd] || What language do you speak?
|-
| Kuhu sa lähed? || [kuhu sa læːhɛd] || Where are you going?
|-
| Millal sa lähed? || [millal sa læːhɛd] || When are you going?
|}


<ul>
In these examples, the question words "mis" (what) and "kuhu" (where) are used to ask about the language and destination, respectively. By incorporating question words into your questions, you can seek specific information and engage in more meaningful conversations.
<li>Kes tuleb hiljem? (Who is coming later?)</li>
<li>Kus sa oled? (Where are you?)</li>
<li>Kuidas sa selle tegid? (How did you do that?)</li>
</ul>


<p>When asking a yes/no question, the verb comes first, followed by the subject (V-S).</p>
<h3>Tag Questions</h3>


<p>For example:</p>
Tag questions are another way of forming questions in Estonian. Tag questions are short phrases added at the end of a statement to turn it into a question. Here are some examples:


<ul>
{| class="wikitable"
<li>Kas sa tuled ka kaasa? (Are you coming along?)</li>
! Standard Estonian !! Pronunciation !! English Translation
<li>Kas sa räägid eesti keelt? (Do you speak Estonian?)</li>
|-
</ul>
| Sa räägid eesti keelt. || [sa raːgiːd ɛsti keːlt] || You speak Estonian.
|-
| Sa räägid eesti keelt, eks? || [sa raːgiːd ɛsti keːlt eks] || You speak Estonian, right?
|-
| Ta läheb koju. || [ta læːhɛb koju] || He/She is going home.
|-
| Ta läheb koju, kas pole? || [ta læːhɛb koju kas polɛ] || He/She is going home, isn't he/she?
|}


<p>When using "mis" (what) as the subject of the question, the verb comes first, followed by "mis" and then the rest of the sentence.</p>
In these examples, the tag phrases "eks" and "kas pole" are added at the end of the statements to form tag questions. Tag questions are often used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener.


<p>For example:</p>
<h2>Cultural Insights</h2>


<ul>
As we explore the topic of questions in Estonian, it's interesting to note some cultural insights related to questioning in Estonian society.
<li>Mis juhtus? (What happened?)</li>
<li>Mis on selle näituse teema? (What is the theme of this exhibition?)</li>
</ul>


==Question Formation with Negation==
In Estonian culture, directness and clarity are valued when asking questions. Estonians tend to ask questions directly without much preamble or small talk. It is common to ask questions that may seem personal or intrusive in other cultures, such as questions about one's family, income, or relationship status. However, it is important to note that this directness is often not meant to be rude or intrusive but rather reflects the Estonian communication style.


<p>When negating a question, the negation particle "ei" is usually placed before the verb.</p>
Additionally, Estonians value honesty and expect honest answers to their questions. It is considered impolite to give evasive or vague answers when asked a direct question. If you are unsure about the answer or prefer not to answer, it is better to politely decline or explain your reasons rather than providing a misleading response.


<p>For example:</p>
Culturally, it is also important to respect personal space and boundaries when asking questions. While Estonians may ask direct questions, they also value privacy and may not appreciate intrusive or overly personal questions from strangers or acquaintances.


<ul>
Understanding these cultural insights can help you navigate conversations and interactions in Estonian-speaking contexts, ensuring that you communicate effectively and respectfully.
<li>Kas sa ei tule kaasa? (Aren't you coming along?)</li>
<li>Kas sa ei räägi eesti keelt? (Don't you speak Estonian?)</li>
</ul>


<p>You can also use other negative words to negate questions, such as "mitte" (not) and "üldse mitte" (not at all).</p>
<h2>Exercises</h2>


<p>For example:</p>
Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of forming questions in Estonian. Try to answer each question and then compare your answers with the provided solutions.


<ul>
Exercise 1: Forming Questions
<li>Miks sa ei taha? (Why don't you want to?)</li>
<li>Miks sa üldse ei taha? (Why don't you want to at all?)</li>
</ul>


==Practice==
Rewrite the following statements as questions using the appropriate question word or structure.


<p>Practice asking and answering questions using the following question words:</p>
Example: Ta elab Tallinnas. (He/She lives in Tallinn.)
Question: Kus ta elab? (Where does he/she live?)


<ul>
1. Sa räägid inglise keelt. (You speak English.)
<li>Kes</li>
Question: ______ sa räägid? (What language do you speak?)
<li>Mis</li>
<li>Kus</li>
<li>Millal</li>
<li>Miks</li>
<li>Kuidas</li>
<li>Mitu</li>
</ul>


<p>Example dialogue:</p>
2. Ta läheb homme reisile. (He/She is going on a trip tomorrow.)
Question: ______ ta läheb reisile? (When is he/she going on a trip?)


<table class="wikitable">
3. See on sinu raamat. (This is your book.)
<tr>
Question: ______ see on? (Whose is this?)
<th>Person 1:</th>
<td>Kes sa oled?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>Person 2:</th>
<td>Ma olen Liina.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>Person 1:</th>
<td>Kus sa elad?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>Person 2:</th>
<td>Ma elan Tallinnas.</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>Person 1:</th>
<td>Miks sa siin oled?</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<th>Person 2:</th>
<td>Ma otsin tööd.</td>
</tr>
</table>


==Conclusion==
Exercise 2: Tag Questions


<p>In this lesson, you have learned how to form questions in Estonian using question words and different sentence structures. You have also learned how to use negation in questions. Practice asking and answering questions in various situations to improve your Estonian language skills!</p>
Complete the following statements with the appropriate tag question.


Example: Sa räägid eesti keelt, ______? (You speak Estonian, right?)
Answer: eks
1. Sa oled õnnelik, ______? (You are happy, aren't you?)
Answer: kas pole
2. Ta saabub homme, ______? (He/She is arriving tomorrow, isn't he/she?)
Answer: eks
3. Sa tahad seda süüa, ______? (You want to eat this, don't you?)
Answer: kas pole
<h3>Exercise 1: Solution</h3>
1. Mis sa räägid? (What language do you speak?)
2. Millal ta läheb reisile? (When is he/she going on a trip?)
3. Kelle oma see on? (Whose is this?)
<h3>Exercise 2: Solution</h3>
1. eks
2. eks
3. kas pole
Congratulations on completing the exercises! By practicing these question formations, you are one step closer to mastering the art of forming questions in Estonian.
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
In this lesson, we have explored the topic of forming questions in Estonian using question words and different sentence structures. We have learned about common question words such as "kes" (who), "mis" (what), "kuhu" (where), "kuidas" (how), "miks" (why), "millal" (when), and "kas" (do/did/is/are). We have also discussed the different ways of forming questions, including subject-verb inversion and the use of question words and tag questions.
Remember to practice forming questions in different contexts and engage in conversations with native speakers to further develop your skills. Asking questions is not only a valuable tool for acquiring information but also for building connections and developing a deeper understanding of Estonian language and culture.
Continue your language learning journey with the next lesson in the course, where we will delve into more advanced grammar topics. Until then, jätkake head tööd! (Keep up the good work!)


<span link>Excellent job on conquering this lesson! Consider delving into these related pages: [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Cases-and-pronouns|Cases and pronouns]] & [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Future-Tense|Future Tense]].</span>
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|title=Standard Estonian Grammar → Negation and Questions → Question Words and Formation
|keywords=Estonian language, question words, question formation, negation, Estonian grammar,
|keywords=Estonian grammar, Estonian language, forming questions in Estonian, question words in Estonian, question formation in Estonian
|description=Learn how to form questions in Estonian using question words and different sentence structures. Practice asking and answering questions in various situations.
|description=Learn how to form questions in Estonian using question words and different sentence structures. Practice asking and answering questions in various situations.
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}}
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==Other Lessons==
==Other Lessons==
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* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Prepositions|Prepositions]]
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Give-your-Opinion|Give your Opinion]]
* [[Language/Standard-estonian/Grammar/Give-your-Opinion|Give your Opinion]]


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Latest revision as of 18:14, 20 June 2023

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Standard Estonian → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Negation and Questions → Question Words and Formation

Introduction

In this lesson, we will explore the topic of forming questions in Estonian using question words and different sentence structures. Asking questions is an essential skill in any language, as it allows us to seek information, clarify understanding, and engage in meaningful conversations. By understanding how to form questions in Estonian, you will be able to communicate more effectively and confidently with native speakers.

Throughout this lesson, we will cover various question words and their usage, as well as the different sentence structures used to form questions. We will provide numerous examples and exercises to help you practice and reinforce your understanding. Additionally, we will explore any regional variations in the usage of question words and provide interesting cultural facts related to questioning in Estonian.

Question Words

Question words, also known as interrogative words, are used to ask specific types of questions. In Estonian, question words are similar to those in many other languages, such as English. Let's explore some common question words in Estonian:

Kes? (Who?)

The question word "kes" is used to ask about a person or people. It is equivalent to the English word "who." Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English Translation
Kes see on? [kɛs sɛː ɔn] Who is this?
Kes on sinu parim sõber? [kɛs ɔn sinu parim sɤbɛɾ] Who is your best friend?
Kellega sa räägid? [kɛllɛga sa raːgiːd] Who are you talking to?

Mis? (What?)

The question word "mis" is used to ask about things or objects. It is equivalent to the English word "what." Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English Translation
Mis see on? [mis sɛː ɔn] What is this?
Mis on sinu lemmikvärv? [mis ɔn sinu lɛmikʋæɾʋ] What is your favorite color?
Mida sa teed? [mida sa teːd] What are you doing?

Kuhu? (Where?)

The question word "kuhu" is used to ask about a location or destination. It is equivalent to the English word "where." Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English Translation
Kuhu sa lähed? [kuhu sa læːhɛd] Where are you going?
Kuhu sa reisid? [kuhu sa rei̯sid] Where are you traveling to?
Kuhu sa tahad minna? [kuhu sa tahad minːa] Where do you want to go?

Kuidas? (How?)

The question word "kuidas" is used to ask about the manner or way something is done. It is equivalent to the English word "how." Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English Translation
Kuidas sa seda teed? [kuidas sa sɛːda teːd] How do you do it?
Kuidas sul läheb? [kuidas sul læːhɛb] How are you doing?
Kuidas ma sinna jõuan? [kuidas ma sinːa jɤuan] How do I get there?

Miks? (Why?)

The question word "miks" is used to ask about the reason or cause of something. It is equivalent to the English word "why." Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English Translation
Miks sa siia tulid? [miks sa siːa tulid] Why did you come here?
Miks sa ei taha tulla? [miks sa ei taha tulla] Why don't you want to come?
Miks see juhtus? [miks sɛː ʒuhtus] Why did that happen?

Millal? (When?)

The question word "millal" is used to ask about a specific time or moment. It is equivalent to the English word "when." Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English Translation
Millal sa sünnipäeva tähistad? [millal sa synːipæːʋa tæhistad] When do you celebrate your birthday?
Millal sa koju lähed? [millal sa koju læːhɛd] When are you going home?
Millal see juhtus? [millal sɛː ʒuhtus] When did that happen?

Kas? (Do/Did/Is/Are?)

The question word "kas" is used to ask yes/no questions. It is equivalent to the English words "do," "did," "is," or "are." Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English Translation
Kas sa tuled homme? [kas sa tulɛd homːɛ] Are you coming tomorrow?
Kas sulle meeldib see? [kas sullɛ mɛːldib sɛː] Do you like it?
Kas sa oled õnnelik? [kas sa olɛd ɤnnɛlik] Are you happy?

These are just a few examples of the question words used in Estonian. There are additional question words that we will explore in later lessons. It's important to practice using question words in different sentence structures to develop your understanding and fluency in forming questions.

Question Formation

In addition to question words, the formation of questions in Estonian involves different sentence structures. Let's explore some common ways of forming questions:

Inversion

One common way of forming questions in Estonian is through subject-verb inversion. This means that the verb and subject are switched in the sentence. Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English Translation
Sa räägid eesti keelt. [sa raːgiːd ɛsti keːlt] You speak Estonian.
Kas sa räägid eesti keelt? [kas sa raːgiːd ɛsti keːlt] Do you speak Estonian?
Ta läheb koju. [ta læːhɛb koju] He/She is going home.
Kas ta läheb koju? [kas ta læːhɛb koju] Is he/she going home?

As you can see, in the first sentence, the subject "sa" (you) comes before the verb "räägid" (speak). However, in the question, the verb "räägid" (speak) comes before the subject "sa" (you), resulting in the inverted word order.

It's important to note that subject-verb inversion is not always necessary to form a question in Estonian. In informal speech, questions can be formed without inversion by using question words or intonation.

Using Question Words

As we discussed earlier, question words play a crucial role in forming questions. By using question words, you can ask specific types of questions. Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English Translation
Sa räägid eesti keelt. [sa raːgiːd ɛsti keːlt] You speak Estonian.
Mis keelt sa räägid? [mis keːlt sa raːgiːd] What language do you speak?
Kuhu sa lähed? [kuhu sa læːhɛd] Where are you going?
Millal sa lähed? [millal sa læːhɛd] When are you going?

In these examples, the question words "mis" (what) and "kuhu" (where) are used to ask about the language and destination, respectively. By incorporating question words into your questions, you can seek specific information and engage in more meaningful conversations.

Tag Questions

Tag questions are another way of forming questions in Estonian. Tag questions are short phrases added at the end of a statement to turn it into a question. Here are some examples:

Standard Estonian Pronunciation English Translation
Sa räägid eesti keelt. [sa raːgiːd ɛsti keːlt] You speak Estonian.
Sa räägid eesti keelt, eks? [sa raːgiːd ɛsti keːlt eks] You speak Estonian, right?
Ta läheb koju. [ta læːhɛb koju] He/She is going home.
Ta läheb koju, kas pole? [ta læːhɛb koju kas polɛ] He/She is going home, isn't he/she?

In these examples, the tag phrases "eks" and "kas pole" are added at the end of the statements to form tag questions. Tag questions are often used to seek confirmation or agreement from the listener.

Cultural Insights

As we explore the topic of questions in Estonian, it's interesting to note some cultural insights related to questioning in Estonian society.

In Estonian culture, directness and clarity are valued when asking questions. Estonians tend to ask questions directly without much preamble or small talk. It is common to ask questions that may seem personal or intrusive in other cultures, such as questions about one's family, income, or relationship status. However, it is important to note that this directness is often not meant to be rude or intrusive but rather reflects the Estonian communication style.

Additionally, Estonians value honesty and expect honest answers to their questions. It is considered impolite to give evasive or vague answers when asked a direct question. If you are unsure about the answer or prefer not to answer, it is better to politely decline or explain your reasons rather than providing a misleading response.

Culturally, it is also important to respect personal space and boundaries when asking questions. While Estonians may ask direct questions, they also value privacy and may not appreciate intrusive or overly personal questions from strangers or acquaintances.

Understanding these cultural insights can help you navigate conversations and interactions in Estonian-speaking contexts, ensuring that you communicate effectively and respectfully.

Exercises

Now it's time to practice what you've learned! Below are some exercises to help you reinforce your understanding of forming questions in Estonian. Try to answer each question and then compare your answers with the provided solutions.

Exercise 1: Forming Questions

Rewrite the following statements as questions using the appropriate question word or structure.

Example: Ta elab Tallinnas. (He/She lives in Tallinn.) Question: Kus ta elab? (Where does he/she live?)

1. Sa räägid inglise keelt. (You speak English.) Question: ______ sa räägid? (What language do you speak?)

2. Ta läheb homme reisile. (He/She is going on a trip tomorrow.) Question: ______ ta läheb reisile? (When is he/she going on a trip?)

3. See on sinu raamat. (This is your book.) Question: ______ see on? (Whose is this?)

Exercise 2: Tag Questions

Complete the following statements with the appropriate tag question.

Example: Sa räägid eesti keelt, ______? (You speak Estonian, right?) Answer: eks

1. Sa oled õnnelik, ______? (You are happy, aren't you?) Answer: kas pole

2. Ta saabub homme, ______? (He/She is arriving tomorrow, isn't he/she?) Answer: eks

3. Sa tahad seda süüa, ______? (You want to eat this, don't you?) Answer: kas pole

Exercise 1: Solution

1. Mis sa räägid? (What language do you speak?) 2. Millal ta läheb reisile? (When is he/she going on a trip?) 3. Kelle oma see on? (Whose is this?)

Exercise 2: Solution

1. eks 2. eks 3. kas pole

Congratulations on completing the exercises! By practicing these question formations, you are one step closer to mastering the art of forming questions in Estonian.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have explored the topic of forming questions in Estonian using question words and different sentence structures. We have learned about common question words such as "kes" (who), "mis" (what), "kuhu" (where), "kuidas" (how), "miks" (why), "millal" (when), and "kas" (do/did/is/are). We have also discussed the different ways of forming questions, including subject-verb inversion and the use of question words and tag questions.

Remember to practice forming questions in different contexts and engage in conversations with native speakers to further develop your skills. Asking questions is not only a valuable tool for acquiring information but also for building connections and developing a deeper understanding of Estonian language and culture.

Continue your language learning journey with the next lesson in the course, where we will delve into more advanced grammar topics. Until then, jätkake head tööd! (Keep up the good work!)

Table of Contents - Standard Estonian Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Introduction to Estonian


Greetings and Introductions


Nouns and Pronouns


Numbers and Time


Verbs and Tenses


Daily Activities


Adjectives and Adverbs


Food and Dining


Estonian Traditions


Travel and Transportation


Prepositions and Conjunctions


At Home and Work


Estonian History


Negation and Questions



Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



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