BrixBloks Grammar Apps

In simple sentences you can think in the pattern: who + does what + to what. The subject often comes first, then the verb, then the rest of the information. Later you will see that word order can change for emphasis, but S–V–O works very well for beginners.

Memory tip: If you get stuck, copy English word order: subject, then verb, then the rest. It is safe in many everyday Estonian sentences.

There is no single plural ending for all nouns. Many words add -d (maja → majad, sõber → sõbrad), others add -id (raamat → raamatud). Some consonants and vowels change. At beginner level, learn useful nouns as singular + plural pairs.

Memory tip: Write new nouns with their plural: maja/majad, raamat/raamatud. Seeing them as pairs helps the patterns stick.

In English we say a book or the book. In Estonian you simply say raamat. The same form can mean 'a book' or 'the book'. The situation, word order and any extra words tell you whether it is something new or something already known.

Memory tip: Good news: you do not need to choose between 'a' and 'the'. Just say the noun and let context do the work.

You can put a possessive word before the noun: minu raamat, sinu võti, tema auto. With names you use the genitive form plus the noun: Peetri maja, Anna telefon. The owned thing usually stays in its normal case.

Memory tip: Learn this small set early: minu (my), sinu (your), tema (his/her), meie (our), teie (your, plural), nende (their). You will use them constantly.

To make a clear yes/no question, put kas at the start and keep normal word order: Kas sa elad siin? In everyday speech people sometimes just use a questioning tone. Wh-questions begin with a question word like kus (where), mis (what), millal (when), miks (why), kuidas (how).

Memory tip: Start your yes/no questions with kas, and memorise a few wh-questions as ready-made chunks: Kus sa elad?, Mis see on?

Place ei before the verb: Ma ei joo kohvi. The main verb appears without its usual personal ending: joo instead of joon. With the verb 'to be', you often use ei ole or the short form pole.

Memory tip: Think: say the sentence in the normal way, then place ei in front of the verb and drop the personal ending on the verb.

You use these forms to talk about identity and description: Ma olen tudeng, Ta on arst, Maja on suur. In the negative you use ei ole or pole: Ma ei ole väsinud.

Memory tip: Repeat the chain aloud: olen, oled, on, oleme, olete, on. You will see and hear these forms everywhere.

Common location endings are -s for 'in' (toas – in the room) and -l for 'on/at' (laual – on the table). You also see words like all (under) and kõrval (next to), often together with case endings.

Memory tip: Learn a few high-frequency pairs: toas (in the room), kodus (at home), laual (on the table), bussipeatuses (at the bus stop). They will appear again and again.

In simple forms the adjective comes before the noun and often looks like the dictionary form: suur maja, ilus auto. After the verb 'to be' the adjective also stands alone: Maja on suur.

Memory tip: Learn adjectives together with a noun: suur maja, väike tuba, vana sõber. This fixes word order and meaning at the same time.

Many verbs form the past with -s or -sid: Ma sõin leiba (I ate bread), Me vaatasime telekat (We watched TV). The verb 'to be' uses oli in the singular and olid/olime/olitte/olid in other forms.

Memory tip: When you learn a new verb, add one past example: täna söön, eile sõin. The contrast helps you remember the past form.

To talk about future plans, use the present tense and add a future time word: Homme töötan, Järgmisel nädalal läheme maale. Sometimes you see hakkama + infinitive (hakan minema) to show that something is about to start.

Memory tip: Always add a clear time word when you mean the future: homme, varsti, järgmisel nädalal. The verb can stay in the present tense.

These verbs are conjugated and followed by a ma-infinitive: Ma saan eesti keelt rääkida, Ma pean nüüd minema, Ma tahan puhata. Together with the infinitive they show ability, obligation or desire.

Memory tip: Practise three sentence starters: Ma saan…, Ma pean…, Ma tahan…. Then plug in new verbs: töötama, õppima, puhkama.

To compare two things you can use the comparative form + kui: suurem kui, väiksem kui. For 'the most', use the superlative with kõige: kõige suurem, kõige parem.

Memory tip: Start with three families: hea – parem – parim; suur – suurem – suurim; väike – väiksem – väikseim. You will hear them often.

To tell someone to do something, use the imperative: Tule siia!, Ava uks!, Oota natuke! For plural or polite commands you often add -ge/-ke: Tulge siia!, Istuge, palun.

Memory tip: Learn a short list you really need: Tule!, Oota!, Ava!, Istu!, Kuula!. You will recognise and use them very quickly.