From Wikitravel

Estonian (eesti keel) is a Finno-Ugric language spoken by roughly 1.1 million people in Estonia. Though closely related to Finnish and distantly to Hungarian, Estonian bears almost no resemblance to any other European language in either vocabulary or grammar.

The lack of Indo-European language structures makes Estonian a rather difficult language to learn. The fact that it has more words of Indo-European origin than Finnish, for instance, it is slightly easier to learn. Even though many people in Estonia (especially young people) speak English and many understand Russian, an attempt at some basic phrases will definitely impress the locals and you will receive an enthusiastic welcome.

[edit] Pronunciation guide

Written Estonian is based on the Latin alphabet and uses 27 letters:

a b d e f g h i j k l m n o p r s š z ž t u v õ ä ö ü

Additionally, the letters c, q, w, x, and y are used in foreign proper names and quotes.

Pronunciation is fairly straightforward. Most words are pronounced as they are written, with a major exception being vowel length (see below).

[edit] Vowels

a 

like a in father

e 

like e in get

i 

like ee in flee

o 

like o in order

u 

like oo in moon

ä 

like a in hat

ö 

like German ö, similar to e in her

ü 

like German ü, similar to ew in few

õ 

a uniquely Estonian sound pronounced with the tongue in the same position as the o sound, but with lips unrounded; kind of halfway between the e in get and the u in hung

The duration of vowel sounds can be short, long, or overlong, depending on the word. Short vowels are written with one letter, long and overlong vowels with two. Overlong vowels often change the pitch or stress of the syllable as well as the duration. There is no written distinction between long and overlong vowels. Example:

short	sada (SAH-dah)	→	one hundred
long	saada (SAAH-dah)	→	send!
overlong	saada (SAAAH-dah)	→	to get

[edit] Consonants

c 

like ts in hats

h 

silent at the beginning of a word; before a vowel like English h; before a consonant harshly pronounced guttural h

j 

like y in yes

q 

like k in kitchen

r 

trilled, like Spanish rr

s 

like s in soap

š 

like sh in shoe

ž 

like s in measure

w 

like v in very

x 

like x in excite

b d f g k l m n p t v y z 

pronounced as in English

Consonants can appear doubled, such as kk, pp, tt, etc., and are pronounced by inserting a glottal stop or prolonging the duration of the consonant.

[edit] Stress

The first syllable of a word is always stressed except foreign words which can have an accent mark showing the stressed syllable. For example: Améerika (ah-MAAY-ree-kah).

[edit] Phrase list

[edit] Basics

Hello. 

Tervist. (TEHR-veest)

Hello. (informal) 

Tere. (TEHR-reh)

How are you? 

Kuidas käsi käib? (KOO-ee-dahs KA-see KA-eeb?)

Fine, thank you. 

Tänan, hästi. (TA-nahn, HASS-tee)

What is your name? 

Mis on teie nimi? (MEES ohn teh-yeh NEE-mee?)

My name is ______ . 

Minu nimi on ______ . (MEE-noo NEE-mee ohn _____ .)

Nice to meet you. 

Meeldiv teid kohata. (MAAYL-deev tayd KO-hah-tah)

Please. / You're welcome 

Palun. (PAH-loon)

Thank you. 

Tänan. (TA-nahn)

Yes. 

Jah. (YAHH)

No. 

Ei. (ay)

Excuse me. 

Vabanda. (VAH-bahn-dah)

I'm sorry. 

Vabandust. (VAH-bahn-doost)

Goodbye 

Head aega. (HEH-ahd AH-eh-gah.)

Goodbye (informal) 

Nägemist (NAH-geh-mist)

I can't speak [much] Estonian. 

Ma ei räägi [palju] eesti keelt. (MAH ay RAA-gee [PAHL-yoo] EHS-tee KEHLT)

Do you speak English? 

Kas te räägite inglise keelt? (KAHS teh RAA-gee-teh EENG-lee-seh KEHLT?)

Is there someone here who speaks English? 

Kas on keegi siin kes räägib inglise keelt? (kahs ohn KEH-key seen kehs RAA-keyeb EEN-klee-seh kehlt?)

Help! 

Aidake! (IGH-dak-keh!)

Look out! 

Ettevaatust! (Vaadake ette!) (...!)

Good morning. 

Tere hommikust. (TEH-reh HOHM-mee-koost)

Good evening. 

Tere õhtust. (TEH-reh ERHH-toost)

Good night. 

Head ööd. (HEH-ahd IRRD)

I don't understand. 

Ma ei saa aru. (MAH ay sahh AH-roo)

Where is the toilet? 

Kus on tualett? (KOOS ohn TOO-ah-let?)

[edit] Problems

Leave me alone. 

Jäta mind rahule. (YA-tah meend rah-HOO-leh)

Don't touch me! 

Ära puuduta mind! (A-rah poo-OODOO-tah meend)

I'll call the police. 

Ma kutsun politsei. (mah KOOT-soon poh-LEET-say)

Police! 

Politsei! (poh-LEET-say)

Stop! Thief! 

Stop! Varas! (stohp VAH-rahs!)

I need your help. 

Ma vajan teie abi. (mah VAH-yahn TAY-ee-eh AH-bee)

It's an emergency. 

See on hädaolukord. (sehh ohn ha-dow-LOO-kohrd)

I'm lost. 

Ma olen eksinud. (mah OH-lehn ehk-SEE-nood)

I lost my bag. 

Ma kaotasin oma koti. (mah kah-oh-TAH-seen OH-mah KOH-tee)

I lost my wallet. 

Ma kaotasin oma rahakoti. (mah kah-oh-TAH-seen OH-mah rah-HAH-koh-tee)

I'm sick. 

Ma olen haige. (mah OH-lehn HAI-geh)

I've been injured. 

Ma olen vigastatud. (mah OH-lehn vee-gahs-TAH-tood)

I need a doctor. 

Ma vajan arsti. (mah VAH-yahn AHRS-tee)

Can I use your phone? 

Kas ma võiksin teie telefoni kasutada? (kahs mah vehh-EEK-seen teh-ee-eh teh-LEH-foh-nee kah-SOO-tah-dah?)

[edit] Numbers

0 

null (nool)

1 

üks (ewks)

2 

kaks (kahks)

3 

kolm (kohlm)

4 

neli (NEH-lee)

5 

viis (veess)

6 

kuus (kooss)

7 

seitse (SAYT-seh)

8 

kaheksa (KAH-hek-sah)

9 

üheksa (EW-hek-sah)

10 

kümme (KEWM-meh)

11 

üksteist (EWKS-tayst)

12 

kaksteist (KAHKS-tayst)

13 

kolmteist (KOHLM-tayst)

14 

neliteist (NEH-lee-tayst)

15 

viisteist (VEESS-tayst)

16 

kuusteist (KOOSS-tayst)

17 

seitseteist (SAYT-seh-tayst)

18 

kaheksateist (KAH-hek-sah-tayst)

19 

üheksateist (EW-hek-sah-tayst)

20 

kakskümmend (KAHKS-kewm-mend)

21 

kakskümmend üks (KAHKS-kewm-mend EWKS)

22 

kakskümmend kaks (KAHKS-kewm-mend KAHKS)

23 

kakskümmend kolm (KAHKS-kewm-mend KOHLM)

30 

kolmkümmend (KOHLM-kewm-mend)

40 

nelikümmend (NEH-lee-kewm-mend)

50 

viiskümmend (VEESS-kewm-mend)

60 

kuuskümmend (KOOSS-kewm-mend)

70 

seitsekümmend (SAYT-seh-kewm-mend)

80 

kaheksakümmend (KAH-hek-sah-kewm-mend)

90 

üheksakümmend (EW-hek-sah-kewm-mend)

100 

sada (SAH-dah)

200 

kakssada (KAHKS-sah-dah)

300 

kolmsada (KOHLM-sah-dah)

1000 

tuhat (TOO-haht)

2000 

kaks tuhat (KAHKS TOO-haht)

1,000,000 

miljon (MEEL-yohn)

1,000,000,000 

miljard (MEEL-yahrd)

1,000,000,000,000 

biljon (BEEL-yohn)

number _____ (train, bus, etc.) 

number _____ (NOOM-behr _____)

half 

pool (pohl)

less 

vähem (VA-hehm)

more 

enam (EH-nahm)

[edit] Time

now 

nüüd (newd)

later 

hiljem (HEEL-yehm)

before 

enne (EHN-neh)

morning 

hommik (HOHM-meek)

afternoon 

pärastlõuna (PA-rahst-LUHR-oo-nah)

evening 

õhtu (UHRHH-too)

night 

öö (urr)

[edit] Clock time

Estonia uses a 24 hour clock for most things

one o'clock AM 

kell üks (kehl EWKS)

two o'clock AM 

kell kaks (kehl KAHKS)

noon 

keskpäev (KEHSK-pa-ehv)

one o'clock PM 

kell kolmteist (kehl KOHLM-tayst)

two o'clock PM 

kell neliteist (kehl NEH-lee-tayst)

midnight 

kesköö (KEHSK-urr)

[edit] Duration

_____ minute(s) 

_____ minut(it) (MEEH-noot(-eet))

_____ hour(s) 

_____ tund(i) (TOOND(/-dee))

_____ day(s) 

_____ päev(a) (PIGHV(/-vah))

_____ week(s) 

_____ nädal(at) (NA-dahl(/-laht))

_____ month(s) 

_____ kuu(d) (KOOH(D))

_____ year(s) 

_____ aasta(t) (AH-stah(t))

[edit] Days

today 

täna (TA-nah)

yesterday 

eile (AYL-eh)

tomorrow 

homme (OHM-meh)

this week 

sel nädalal (sehl NA-dah-lahl)

last week 

möödunud nädalal (MUR-doo-nood NA-dah-lahl)

next week 

järgmisel nädalal (YARG-mee-sehl NA-dah-lahl)

Sunday 

pühapäev (PEW-hah-pighv)

Monday 

esmaspäev (ESS-mah-pighv)

Tuesday 

teisipäev (TAY-see-pighv)

Wednesday 

kolmapäev (KOHL-mah-pighv)

Thursday 

neljapäev (NEHL-yah-pighv)

Friday 

reede (REH-deh)

Saturday 

laupäev (LAH-oo-pighv)

[edit] Months

January 

jaanuar (YAAH-noo-ahr)

February 

veebruar (VEH-broo-ahr)

March 

märts (MARTS)

April 

aprill (AH-preell)

May 

mai (MAH-ee)

June 

juuni (YOO-nee)

July 

juuli (YOO-lee)

August 

august (AH-oo-goost)

September 

september (SEHP-tehm-behr)

October 

oktoober (OHK-toh-behr)

November 

november (NOH-vehm-behr)

December 

detsember (DEHT-sehm-behr)

[edit] Writing time and date

half past ... 

pool (followed by the NEXT hour, as if "half til ...")

For instance: Half past six. - Pool seitse. (Half (un)til seven.)

a quarter past ... 

veerand (same rule)

a quarter to ... 

kolmveerand ... (literally "3/4 (of) ...")

[edit] Colors

black 

must (muhst)

white 

valge (VAHL-geh)

gray 

hall (hahl)

red 

punane (POO-nah-neh)

blue 

sinine (SEE-nee-neh)

yellow 

kollane (KOHL-lah-neh)

green 

roheline (ROH-heh-lee-neh)

orange 

oranž (OH-rahzh)

purple 

lilla (LEEL-lah)

brown 

pruun (proon)

[edit] Transportation

taxi 

takso (TAHK-soh)

airplane 

lennuk (LEHN-nook)

bus 

buss (booss)

car 

auto (OW-toh)

ferry 

praam (prraahm)

train 

rong (rrohng)

truck 

veoauto (veh-oh-OW-toh)

boat 

paat (paaht)

ship 

laev (LAH-ehv)

tram 

tramm (trrahm)

trolley 

trollibuss (trrohl-LEE-booss)

bicycle 

jalgratas (yahl-GRRAH-tahs)

motorcycle 

mootorratas (mohh-TOHR-rah-tahs)

[edit] Bus and train

How much is a ticket to _____? 

Kui palju maksab pilet _____? (kooi PAH-lyoo MAHK-sahb PEE-leht...?)

One ticket to _____, please. 

Üks pilet _____, palun. (ewks PEE-leht..., PAH-loon)

Where does this train/bus go? 

Kuhu see rong/buss sõidab? (KOO-hoo sehh rohng/boos suhh-ee-dahb?)

Where is the train/bus to _____? 

Kust väljub rong/buss _____? (koost VAA-lyoob rohng/ boos...?)

Does this train/bus stop in _____? 

Kas see rong/buss peatub _____? (kahs sehh rrohng/ booss PEH-ah-toob...?)

When does the train/bus for _____ leave? 

Millal väljub rong/buss _____? (MIHL-lahl VA-lyoob rrohng/ booss)

When will this train/bus arrive in _____? 

Millal saabub rong/buss _____? (MIHL-lahl SAHH-boob rrohng/ booss)

[edit] Directions

How do I get to _____ ? 

Kuidas ma saan _____ ? (...)

...the train station? 

...rongijaama? (...)

...the bus station? 

...bussijaama? (...)

...the airport? 

...lennujaama? (...)

...downtown? 

...kesklinna? (...)

...the youth hostel? 

...the youth hostel? (...)

...the _____ hotel? 

... _____ hotelli? (...)

...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? 

...Ameerika/Kanada/Austraalia/Briti konsulaati? (...)

Where are there a lot of... 

Kust ma võiksin leida...? (...)

...hotels? 

...hotelle? (...)

...restaurants? 

...restorane? (...)

...bars? 

...baare? (...)

...sites to see? 

...vaatamisväärsusi? (...)

Can you show me on the map? 

Kas te näitaksite mulle kaardil? (...)

street 

tänav (...)

Turn left. 

Pööra vasakule. (...)

Turn right. 

Pööra paremale. (...)

left 

vasak (...)

right 

parem (...)

straight ahead 

otse edasi (...)

towards the _____ 

_____ suunas (...)

past the _____ 

_____ mööda (...)

before the _____ 

enne _____ (...)

Watch for the _____. 

Jälgige _____. (...)

intersection 

ristmik/risttee (...)

north 

põhi (...)

south 

lõuna (...)

east 

ida (...)

west 

lääs (...)

uphill 

ülesmäge (...)

downhill 

allamäge (...)

[edit] Taxi

Taxi! 

Takso! (...)

Take me to _____, please. 

Viige mind _____, palun. (...) - Illative case

How much does it cost to get to _____? 

Kui palju maksab sõit _____? (...) - Illative case

Take me there, please. 

Viige mind sinna, palun. (...)

[edit] Lodging

Do you have any rooms available? 

Kas teil on vabu kohti? (...)

How much is a room for one person/two people? 

Kui palju maksab tuba ühele/kahele inimesele? (...)

Does the room come with... 

Kas toa juurde kuulub/kuuluvad... (...)

...bedsheets? 

...voodilinad? (...)

...a bathroom? 

...vannituba? (...)

...a telephone? 

...telefon? (...)

...a TV? 

...televiisor? (...)

May I see the room first? 

Kas ma tohin seda vaadata enne? (...)

Do you have anything quieter? 

Kas teil on mõni vaiksem? (...)

...bigger? 

...suurem? (...)

...cleaner? 

...puhtam? (...)

...cheaper? 

...odavam? (...)

OK, I'll take it. 

Olgu, ma võtan selle. (...)

I will stay for _____ night(s). 

Ma jään _____ ööks. (...)

Can you suggest another hotel? 

Kas te saate soovitada mõnda teist hotelli? (...)

Do you have a safe? 

Kas teil on seif? (...)

...lockers? 

...kapp? (...)

Is breakfast/supper included? 

Kas hommikueine/õhtueine kuuluvad selle juurde? (...)

What time is breakfast/supper? 

Mis kell on hommikueine/õhtueine? (...)

Please clean my room. 

Palun, koristage mu tuba. (...)

Can you wake me at _____? | Kas te ärataksite mind kell _____? (...)

I want to check out. 

Ma soovin ennast välja registreerida. (...)

[edit] Money

Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? 

Kas te võtate vastu Ameerika/Austraalia/Kanada dollareid? (...)

Do you accept British pounds? 

Kas te võtate vastu Briti naelu (naelsterlingeid)? (...)

Do you accept credit cards? 

Kas te võtate vastu krediitkaarte? (...)

Can you change money for me? 

Kas te saa(ksi)te mulle raha/valuutat vahetada? (...)

Where can I get money changed? 

Kus ma saa(ksi)n raha/valuutat vahetada? (...)

Can you change a traveler's check for me? 

Kas te saa(ksi)te mulle reisitšeki/akreditiivi vahetada? (...)

Where can I get a traveler's check changed? 

Kus ma saa(ksi)n reisitšeki/akreditiivi vahetada? (...)

What is the exchange rate? 

Milline on valuuta kurss? (...)

Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? 

Kus on (üks) rahaautomaat? (...)

[edit] Eating

A table for one person/two people, please. 

Laud ühele/kahele (inimesele), palun. (...)

Can I look at the menu, please? 

Kas ma saaksin vaadata menüüd, palun? (...)

Can I look in the kitchen? 

Kas ma tohin vaadata köögis? (...)

Is there a house specialty? 

Kas teil on eriroog? (...)

Is there a local specialty? 

Kas teil on kohalik eriroog? (...)

I'm a vegetarian. 

Ma olen taimetoitlane. (...)

I don't eat pork. 

Ma ei söö sealiha. (...)

I don't eat beef. 

Ma ei söö veiseliha. (...)

I only eat kosher food. 

Ma söön ainult koššertoitu. (...)

Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) 

Kas te saate teha seda väherasvaseks, palun? (...)

fixed-price meal 

fixed-price meal (...)

à la carte 

à la carte (...)

breakfast 

hommikusöök(...)

lunch 

lõuna(söök) (...)

tea (meal) 

tee (...)

supper 

õhtusöök (...)

I want _____. 

Ma soovin _____. (...)

I want a dish containing _____. 

Ma soovin rooga milles oleks _____. (...)

chicken 

kana (...)

beef 

veiseliha (it is often simply called "loomaliha" (animal/cattle meat)) (...)

fish 

kala (...)

ham 

sink (...)

sausage 

vorst (...)

cheese 

juust (...)

eggs 

munad (...)

salad 

salat (...)

(fresh) vegetables 

(värsked) köögiviljad ("juurviljad" referres to vegetables the tubers or roots of which are eaten like potatoes or beetroot) (...)

(fresh) fruit 

(värsked) puuviljad (...)

bread 

leib (...)

toast 

röstsai (...)

noodles 

nuudlid (...)

rice 

riis (...)

beans 

oad (...)

May I have a glass of _____? 

Kas ma saaksin klaasi _____? (...)

May I have a cup of _____? 

Kas ma saaksin kruusi _____? (...)

May I have a bottle of _____? 

Kas ma saaksin pudeli _____? (...)

coffee 

kohv (...)

tea (drink) 

tee (...)

juice 

mahl ("jook" referres to light juice)(...)

(bubbly) water 

(gaseeritud) vesi (...)

water 

vesi (...)

beer 

õlu (...)

red/white wine 

punane/valge vein (...)

May I have some _____? 

Kas ma saaksin natuke _____? (...)

salt 

sool (...)

black pepper 

must pipar (...)

butter 

või (...)

Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server)

Vabandage, kelner? (...)

I'm finished. 

Ma olen lõpetanud. (...)

It was delicious. 

See oli maitsev. (...)

Please clear the plates. 

Palun koristage taldrikud (ära). (...)

The check, please. 

Arve, palun. (...)

[edit] Bars

Do you serve alcohol? 

Kas te serveerite alkoholi? (...)

Is there table service? 

Kas on lauateenindus? (...)

A beer/two beers, please. 

Õlu/kaks õlut, palun. (...)

A glass of red/white wine, please. 

Klaas punast/valget veini, palun. (...)

A pint, please. 

Üks pint, palun. (...)

A bottle, please. 

Üks pudel, palun. (...)

whiskey 

viski (...)

vodka 

vodka/viin (...)

rum 

rumm (...)

water 

vesi (...)

club soda 

klubi jook (...)

tonic water 

toonik (...)

orange juice 

apelsinimahl (...)

Coke (soda) 

kokakoola (...)

Do you have any bar snacks? 

Kas teil on (baari)suupisteid? (...)

One more, please. 

Palun, üks veel. (...)

Another round, please. 

Another round, please. (...)

When is closing time? 

Millal on sulgemisaeg? (...)

[edit] Shopping

Do you have this in my size? 

Kas teil on seda minu suuruses? (...)

How much is this? 

Kui palju see maksab? (...)

That's too expensive. 

See on liiga kallis. (...)

Would you take _____? 

Kas te võtaksite _____? (...)

expensive 

kallis (...)

cheap 

odav (...)

I can't afford it. 

Ma ei saa seda endale lubada. (...)

I don't want it. 

Ma ei soovi seda. (...)

You're cheating me. 

Te petate mind. (...)

I'm not interested. 

Ma pole huvitatud. (..)

OK, I'll take it. 

Olgu, ma võtan selle. (...)

Can I have a bag? 

Kas ma saaksin (kile)koti? (...)

Do you ship (overseas)? 

Kas te transpordite (üle mere)? (...)

I need... 

Mul on vaja... (...)

...toothpaste. 

...hambapastat. (...)

...a toothbrush. 

...hambaharja. (...)

...tampons. 

...tampoone. (...)

...soap. 

...seepi. (...)

...shampoo. 

...šampooni. (...)

...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) 

...valuvaigistit. (...)

...cold medicine. 

...nohurohtu. (...)

...stomach medicine. 

...kõhu(valu)ravimit. (...)

...a razor. 

...habemenuga/pardlit. (...)

...an umbrella. 

...vihmavarju. (...)

...sunblock lotion. 

...päikesekreemi. (...)

...a postcard. 

...postkaarti. (...)

...postage stamps. 

...postmarke. (...)

...batteries. 

...patareisid. (...)

...writing paper. 

...kirjutuspaberit. (...)

...a pen. 

...pastapliiatsit. (...)

...a pencil. 

...(harilikku) pliiatsit (...)

...English-language books. 

...ingliskeelset raamatut. (...)

...English-language magazines. 

...ingliskeelset ajakirja. (...)

...an English-language newspaper. 

...ingliskeelset ajalehte. (...)

...an English-Estonian dictionary. 

...Inglise-Eesti sõnaraamatut. (...)

[edit] Driving

I want to rent a car. 

Ma tahan/soovin rentida autot. (...)

Can I get insurance? 

Kas ma võin saada kindlustust? (...)

stop (on a street sign) 

stop (...)

one way 

ühesuunaline liiklus (one way traffic)

yield 

teed andma (...)

no parking 

parkimine keelatud (parking denied)

speed limit 

kiiruspiirang (...)

gas (petrol) station 

kütusejaam (...)

petrol 

bensiin (...)

diesel 

diiselkütus(...)

[edit] Authority

I haven't done anything wrong. 

Ma pole midagi valesti teinud. (...)

It was a misunderstanding. 

See oli arusaamatus. (...)

Where are you taking me? 

Kuhu te mind viite? (...)

Am I under arrest? 

Kas ma olen arreteeritud (arresti all)? (...)

I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. 

Ma olen Ameerika/Austraalia/Briti/Kanada kodanik. (...)

I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. 

Ma soovin rääkida Ameerika/Austraalia/Briti/Kanada saatkonnaga/konsulaadiga. (...)

I want to talk to a lawyer. 

Ma soovin rääkida advokaadiga. (...)

Can I just pay a fine now? 

Kas ma võin nüüd lihtsalt trahvi ära tasuda? (...)