Estonian is a fascinating language with a rich history and unique characteristics. As an Estonian language learner, one of the fundamental steps is to master the basic number terms. Understanding numbers is essential for everyday communication, whether you’re shopping, telling time, or navigating addresses. This article will guide you through the basic number terms in Estonian, providing you with the essential knowledge to use these terms confidently.
Cardinal Numbers
Cardinal numbers are the numbers we use for counting and showing quantity. In Estonian, cardinal numbers are relatively straightforward. Here are the basic numbers from 0 to 10:
– **0**: null
– **1**: üks
– **2**: kaks
– **3**: kolm
– **4**: neli
– **5**: viis
– **6**: kuus
– **7**: seitse
– **8**: kaheksa
– **9**: üheksa
– **10**: kümme
Once you are comfortable with these numbers, you can form larger numbers by combining them. Let’s look at the numbers from 11 to 20:
– **11**: üksteist
– **12**: kaksteist
– **13**: kolmteist
– **14**: neliteist
– **15**: viisteist
– **16**: kuusteist
– **17**: seitseteist
– **18**: kaheksateist
– **19**: üheksateist
– **20**: kakskümmend
Notice the pattern? For numbers 11 through 19, you combine the word for the unit number with “-teist,” which means “-teen.” For 20, it’s a combination of “kaks” (2) and “kümme” (10), forming “kakskümmend” (20).
Counting by Tens
Counting by tens in Estonian is also straightforward. Here are the tens from 30 to 100:
– **30**: kolmkümmend
– **40**: nelikümmend
– **50**: viiskümmend
– **60**: kuuskümmend
– **70**: seitsekümmend
– **80**: kaheksakümmend
– **90**: üheksakümmend
– **100**: sada
As you can see, the pattern continues. You take the unit number and combine it with “-kümmend” to form the tens.
Forming Numbers Beyond 20
To form numbers beyond 20, you simply combine the tens with the unit numbers. For example:
– **21**: kakskümmend üks
– **32**: kolmkümmend kaks
– **45**: nelikümmend viis
– **58**: viiskümmend kaheksa
– **99**: üheksakümmend üheksa
This pattern continues up to 100.
Ordinal Numbers
Ordinal numbers indicate the position or order of things and are essential for understanding sequences, dates, and rankings. Here are the basic ordinal numbers in Estonian:
– **1st**: esimene
– **2nd**: teine
– **3rd**: kolmas
– **4th**: neljas
– **5th**: viies
– **6th**: kuues
– **7th**: seitsmes
– **8th**: kaheksas
– **9th**: üheksas
– **10th**: kümnes
To form ordinal numbers beyond 10, you usually add the suffix “-s” to the cardinal number. Here are some examples:
– **11th**: üheteistkümnes
– **12th**: kaheteistkümnes
– **20th**: kahekümnes
– **21st**: kahekümne esimene
– **30th**: kolmekümnes
Fractions and Decimals
Understanding fractions and decimals is also crucial, especially in contexts such as cooking, mathematics, and finance. Here are some basic fraction terms in Estonian:
– **1/2**: pool
– **1/3**: kolmandik
– **1/4**: neljandik
– **1/5**: viiendik
– **1/6**: kuuendik
For decimals, the decimal point is referred to as “koma.” Here’s how you would say some basic decimals:
– **0.1**: null koma üks
– **0.5**: null koma viis
– **1.2**: üks koma kaks
– **3.14**: kolm koma neliteist
Useful Phrases Involving Numbers
To help you integrate these number terms into everyday conversation, here are some useful phrases that involve numbers:
– **How much does this cost?**: Kui palju see maksab?
– **It costs 15 euros.**: See maksab viisteist eurot.
– **What time is it?**: Mis kell on?
– **It’s 3 o’clock.**: Kell on kolm.
– **I have two siblings.**: Mul on kaks õde-venda.
– **My phone number is 555-1234.**: Minu telefoninumber on 555-1234.
Practice and Application
Mastering numbers in Estonian requires practice. Here are some tips to help you integrate these terms into your daily routine:
1. **Practice Counting**: Count objects around you in Estonian. This can be anything from counting steps as you walk to counting items in your grocery cart.
2. **Use Numbers in Sentences**: Incorporate numbers into your daily conversations. For example, when telling time or discussing prices.
3. **Listen and Repeat**: Listen to Estonian speakers using numbers. This can be through videos, podcasts, or conversations. Repeat what you hear to improve your pronunciation and fluency.
4. **Flashcards**: Create flashcards with numbers on one side and their Estonian terms on the other. This can help reinforce your memory.
5. **Language Apps**: Use language learning apps that focus on numbers and basic vocabulary in Estonian. These often include interactive exercises and quizzes.
Conclusion
Learning the basic number terms in Estonian is an essential step in mastering the language. By understanding cardinal numbers, ordinal numbers, fractions, and decimals, and practicing with useful phrases, you can build a strong foundation for further language study. Remember, consistency and practice are key. Keep integrating these terms into your daily life, and soon you’ll find using numbers in Estonian to be second nature. Happy learning!
