Useful Phrases and Expressions
in Estonian

Expressions of Greeting and Thanks

Tere! Hello!

Tervist! Good day! [Health to you!]

Tere tulemast! Welcome!

Palun! Please, You're Welcome.

Tänan! Thanks.

Tänan väga! Thanks very much.

Aitäh! Thanks. {stress on second syll.}

Expressions of Concern

Kuidas käsi käib? How are you? {lit. How goes your hand?}

Kuidas läheb? How's it going?

Kuidas elad? How do you feel?

Tänan, hästi. Fine, thanks.

Kuidas ise elate? How do you feel yourself?

Suur tänu, kõik on hästi. Thanks alot, everythings fine.

Aitäh, pole viga. Thanks, no problem.

Halvasti. Badly.

Mida sa soovid? What do you want?

Jah, palun. Ei, tänan. Yes, please. No, thanks.

Kas jah või ei? Yes or no?

Expressions of Politeness

(-ge) denotes plural command.

Kas ma segan? Am I disturbing you?

Ei, mitte sugugi! No, not at all.

Pole viga. No problem.

Ei, sa ei sega. No, you're not bothering me.

Astu sisse. Come on in. [sing.]

Astuge sisse, palun. Come on in, please. [plural]

Tule(ge) siia! Come here.

Vabanda(ge)! Excuse me!

Vabandust! Sorry!

(Oota) üks silmapilk! (Wait) a moment!

Räägi, ma kuulen. Talk, I'm listening.

Ära räägi! Kas tõesti? You don't say! Really?

Expressions of Curiosity

Mis see on? What is this?

Mis see tähendab? What does this mean?

Kes seal on? Kes see on? Who is there? Who is this?

See on härra/proua/preili... It is Mr./Mrs./Miss...

Kas see on proua Palm? Is that Mrs. Palm.

Jah, on küll. -- Ei ole. Yes, of couse. -- No, ist isn't.

Kuidas te teate? How do you know?

Mis sa arvad? What do you think?

Kas sa saad aru? Do you understand?

Saan aru. -- Ma ei saa aru. I understand. -- I don't understand.

Kuidas, palun? Come again? (What did you say?)

Palun korda! Please repeat.

 

Courtesy of Marcus Strange