Learning a new language can be an exciting and rewarding journey, especially when delving into the intricacies of grammar. Estonian, a Finno-Ugric language spoken primarily in Estonia, presents unique challenges and rewards for language learners. One important aspect of mastering Estonian is understanding how to use subordinate clauses effectively. Subordinate clauses, or dependent clauses, are essential for creating complex and nuanced sentences, allowing speakers to convey more detailed and precise information.
In this article, we will explore the use of subordinate clauses in Estonian, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of their structure, function, and usage. By the end of this article, you will have a solid grasp of how to incorporate subordinate clauses into your Estonian sentences, enhancing your overall fluency and communication skills.
Understanding Subordinate Clauses
Before diving into the specifics of subordinate clauses in Estonian, let’s first define what a subordinate clause is. A subordinate clause is a group of words that contains a subject and a predicate but cannot stand alone as a complete sentence. Instead, it depends on a main clause (independent clause) to provide context and meaning. Subordinate clauses often begin with subordinating conjunctions, such as “because,” “although,” “if,” “when,” and “that.”
In Estonian, subordinate clauses serve a similar function. They provide additional information, clarify relationships between ideas, and add depth to your sentences. By mastering subordinate clauses, you can express cause and effect, contrast, conditions, and various other complex relationships in your speech and writing.
Types of Subordinate Clauses in Estonian
Estonian subordinate clauses can be categorized into several types based on their function and the type of information they convey. The main types of subordinate clauses in Estonian include:
1. **Relative Clauses (Relatiivlaused)**
2. **Adverbial Clauses (Öeldislausendid)**
3. **Complement Clauses (Täienduslausendid)**
Let’s explore each type in detail.
Relative Clauses
Relative clauses provide additional information about a noun or pronoun in the main clause. In Estonian, relative clauses are introduced by relative pronouns such as “kes” (who), “mis” (which/that), “kelle” (whose), and “mille” (of which/that).
**Example:**
Main clause: See on raamat. (This is a book.)
Relative clause: See on raamat, mis mulle meeldib. (This is a book that I like.)
In this example, the relative clause “mis mulle meeldib” provides additional information about the book.
**Forming Relative Clauses:**
To form a relative clause in Estonian, follow these steps:
1. Identify the noun or pronoun in the main clause that you want to provide more information about.
2. Choose the appropriate relative pronoun based on the noun’s role in the relative clause.
3. Construct the relative clause with the chosen relative pronoun and the additional information.
**Example:**
Main clause: Ma nägin inimest. (I saw a person.)
Relative clause: Ma nägin inimest, kes töötab poes. (I saw a person who works in the store.)
In this example, “kes töötab poes” is the relative clause providing more information about the person.
Adverbial Clauses
Adverbial clauses function as adverbs, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs in the main clause. These clauses provide information about time, cause, condition, purpose, manner, and contrast. In Estonian, adverbial clauses are introduced by subordinating conjunctions such as “kui” (when/if), “kuna” (because), “et” (so that), “kuigi” (although), and “kui” (as/like).
**Example:**
Main clause: Ma lähen koju. (I am going home.)
Adverbial clause: Ma lähen koju, kui vihm lõpeb. (I am going home when the rain stops.)
In this example, the adverbial clause “kui vihm lõpeb” provides information about the time when the action in the main clause will occur.
**Forming Adverbial Clauses:**
To form an adverbial clause in Estonian, follow these steps:
1. Identify the verb, adjective, or adverb in the main clause that you want to modify.
2. Choose the appropriate subordinating conjunction based on the type of information you want to convey.
3. Construct the adverbial clause with the chosen subordinating conjunction and the additional information.
**Example:**
Main clause: Ma õpin eesti keelt. (I am learning Estonian.)
Adverbial clause: Ma õpin eesti keelt, kuna see on huvitav. (I am learning Estonian because it is interesting.)
In this example, “kuna see on huvitav” is the adverbial clause providing the reason for learning Estonian.
Complement Clauses
Complement clauses function as the subject or object of the main clause, providing essential information to complete the meaning of the sentence. In Estonian, complement clauses are often introduced by the conjunction “et” (that).
**Example:**
Main clause: Ma tean. (I know.)
Complement clause: Ma tean, et sa tuled. (I know that you are coming.)
In this example, the complement clause “et sa tuled” provides the information that completes the meaning of the verb “tean” (know).
**Forming Complement Clauses:**
To form a complement clause in Estonian, follow these steps:
1. Identify the verb in the main clause that requires additional information to complete its meaning.
2. Use the conjunction “et” (that) to introduce the complement clause.
3. Construct the complement clause with the conjunction “et” and the necessary information.
**Example:**
Main clause: Ma usun. (I believe.)
Complement clause: Ma usun, et see on tõsi. (I believe that it is true.)
In this example, “et see on tõsi” is the complement clause providing the information that completes the meaning of the verb “usun” (believe).
Word Order in Estonian Subordinate Clauses
Estonian word order can be flexible, but there are certain rules and tendencies that apply, especially in subordinate clauses. In general, Estonian follows a Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order in main clauses. However, in subordinate clauses, the word order can vary depending on the type of clause and the elements it contains.
**Example:**
Main clause: Ta luges raamatut. (He/She read a book.)
Relative clause: Ta luges raamatut, mis oli huvitav. (He/She read a book that was interesting.)
In the relative clause “mis oli huvitav,” the word order is Subject-Verb-Complement (SVC), which is typical for relative clauses.
When constructing subordinate clauses, keep the following word order guidelines in mind:
1. **Relative Clauses:** Typically follow an SVC order, where the relative pronoun acts as the subject.
2. **Adverbial Clauses:** The order can vary, but a common structure is Conjunction-Subject-Verb-Complement (CSV).
3. **Complement Clauses:** Often follow a Conjunction-Subject-Verb-Object (CSVO) order, where the conjunction “et” introduces the clause.
**Example:**
Main clause: Ta ütles. (He/She said.)
Complement clause: Ta ütles, et ta tuleb hiljem. (He/She said that he/she will come later.)
In the complement clause “et ta tuleb hiljem,” the word order follows the CSVO structure.
Common Subordinating Conjunctions in Estonian
Subordinating conjunctions are crucial for forming subordinate clauses in Estonian. Here is a list of some common subordinating conjunctions and their meanings:
– **kui** (when/if)
– **kuna** (because)
– **et** (that)
– **kuigi** (although)
– **kui** (as/like)
– **sest** (because)
– **enne kui** (before)
– **pärast kui** (after)
– **kui** (if)
– **kui kaua** (how long)
– **kui palju** (how much)
**Example Sentences:**
1. **Kui** (when/if): Ma lähen koju, kui vihm lõpeb. (I am going home when the rain stops.)
2. **Kuna** (because): Ma õpin eesti keelt, kuna see on huvitav. (I am learning Estonian because it is interesting.)
3. **Et** (that): Ma tean, et sa tuled. (I know that you are coming.)
4. **Kuigi** (although): Ma lähen jalutama, kuigi on külm. (I am going for a walk, although it is cold.)
5. **Sest** (because): Ma jään siia, sest mul on vaja tööd teha. (I am staying here because I need to work.)
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of subordinate clauses in Estonian, here are some practice exercises. Try to construct sentences using the given main clauses and the specified types of subordinate clauses.
1. Main clause: Ma söön õhtusööki. (I am eating dinner.)
– Adverbial clause (when): ________________
– Complement clause: ________________
2. Main clause: Ta läheb tööle. (He/She is going to work.)
– Adverbial clause (because): ________________
– Relative clause: ________________
3. Main clause: Me vaatame filmi. (We are watching a movie.)
– Adverbial clause (although): ________________
– Relative clause: ________________
**Possible Answers:**
1. Adverbial clause (when): Ma söön õhtusööki, kui ma olen näljane. (I am eating dinner when I am hungry.)
– Complement clause: Ma söön õhtusööki, et ma saaksin energiat. (I am eating dinner so that I can get energy.)
2. Adverbial clause (because): Ta läheb tööle, kuna tal on vaja raha. (He/She is going to work because he/she needs money.)
– Relative clause: Ta läheb tööle, kus ta töötab müüjana. (He/She is going to work where he/she works as a salesperson.)
3. Adverbial clause (although): Me vaatame filmi, kuigi me oleme väsinud. (We are watching a movie although we are tired.)
– Relative clause: Me vaatame filmi, mis on väga populaarne. (We are watching a movie that is very popular.)
Conclusion
Mastering subordinate clauses in Estonian is a crucial step toward achieving fluency and expressing complex ideas with precision. By understanding the different types of subordinate clauses—relative, adverbial, and complement clauses—and their respective structures and functions, you can enhance your ability to communicate effectively in Estonian.
Practice constructing sentences with subordinate clauses, paying attention to word order and the appropriate use of subordinating conjunctions. With consistent practice and exposure to Estonian language materials, you will become more comfortable and proficient in using subordinate clauses, ultimately enriching your language skills and expanding your expressive capabilities.
Happy learning and head õppimist!
