Estonian Basic-School Estonian as a Second Language Exam key terms

The skill of following spoken Estonian, such as a conversation, announcement or short interview, and answering questions about what was said, who said it and why.

The main point a speaker or writer wants to convey. In listening tasks you often must choose which sentence best summarises the whole recording rather than one detail.

Specific facts in a text or recording, such as a time, price, name or place. Questions asking for detailed information require close listening or reading, not just the general topic.

A word or short phrase in a question that signals what to listen or look for, for example a name, a number or a verb like 'soovitab'. Noticing keywords helps you locate answers quickly.

The situation and surrounding words that help you understand a message, such as whether a conversation happens in a shop, at school or at a doctor's office. Context often reveals the meaning of unfamiliar words.

The skill of understanding written Estonian texts such as notices, advertisements, emails, short articles and instructions, and of finding, comparing and interpreting the information they contain.

The genre or type of a text, for example a notice, an advertisement, a personal letter, a news item or an instruction. Recognising the type helps you predict structure and tone.

The title of a text. A heading usually hints at the topic and main idea, so reading it first gives you a framework for understanding the rest of the passage.

A reading task in which words or sentences have been removed and you must choose the option that fits each gap grammatically and logically, using the surrounding text as evidence.

The meaning a word carries in a particular sentence. Estonian words can have several senses, so the correct meaning must be inferred from the sentence rather than from a dictionary list alone.

A word with a similar meaning to another, such as 'suur' and 'väga suur' or 'algama' and 'pihta hakkama'. Reading tasks often ask you to match a text phrase with a synonym in the question.

A word with the opposite meaning to another, for example 'kallis' and 'odav' or 'avama' and 'sulgema'. Recognising opposites helps in vocabulary tasks and in understanding contrast in texts.

The Estonian case system. Nouns, pronouns and adjectives change endings according to their role in the sentence, for example 'kool', 'kooli', 'koolis'. Choosing the right case is central to grammar tasks.

The partitive case, one of the most frequent Estonian cases. It marks an object or quantity that is partial or ongoing, as in 'loen raamatut', and is also used after numbers and certain verbs.

The genitive case, which usually expresses possession or belongs to a stem before other endings, as in 'Jüri raamat' or 'kooli uks'. It is also the base for forming many other cases.

The illative case, meaning 'into' something, as in 'lähen kooli' or 'panen kotti'. It answers the question 'kuhu?' and is one of the six local cases in Estonian.

The six local cases that express place: sisseütlev, seesütlev, seestütlev, alaleütlev, alalütlev and alaltütlev. They distinguish motion into, being in, and motion out of a place.

The object of a verb. In Estonian it appears in the partitive or the total object case depending on whether the action is complete, which affects both meaning and ending choice.

Verb conjugation: changing a verb to agree with person and number and to show tense, as in 'ma loen', 'sa loed', 'ta loeb'. Correct personal endings are a frequent test point.

The present tense, used for current actions, habits and general truths, as in 'Ma elan Tallinnas'. Recognising present-tense endings and stem changes is essential for grammar tasks.

The simple past tense, formed with the -si- marker or an irregular stem, as in 'ma lugesin' or 'ta tuli'. It describes completed actions in the past and contrasts with the present tense.

The perfect tense, formed with 'olema' plus the -nud participle, as in 'ma olen lugenud'. It describes an action completed before now or a state resulting from a past action.

The impersonal voice, used when the doer is unknown or unimportant, as in 'siin räägitakse eesti keelt'. It is common in notices and instructions and often appears in grammar exercises.

Forming new words with suffixes and prefixes, for example 'õpetaja' from 'õpetama' or 'raamatukogu' from 'raamat'. Recognising word families helps you guess meanings in reading tasks.

A compound word made of two or more stems, such as 'koolimaja', 'raamatupood' or 'hommikusöök'. The last part usually determines the basic meaning and word class of the compound.

The skill of producing clear written Estonian for a given purpose and reader, such as a short message, an email, a notice or a description, with correct grammar and suitable register.

A written message such as an email, a note or a letter. Exam writing tasks often ask for a short informal or formal message that includes specific points and a suitable greeting and closing.

How easy a text is to read and understand. Clear structure, logical paragraphs, linking words and correct punctuation all improve readability and are considered when written work is assessed.

The way sentences and paragraphs connect logically through linking words, pronouns and consistent topic development, so the reader can follow the text without confusion.

The skill of expressing yourself orally in Estonian, for example describing a picture, giving an opinion, asking and answering questions, or taking part in a short dialogue.

How words are pronounced. Estonian distinguishes short, long and overlong sounds, and correct pronunciation of vowels, consonants and stress affects how easily a listener understands you.

A spoken exchange between two or more people. In the speaking test you may need to ask questions, respond appropriately and keep a conversation going on a familiar topic.

An opinion or view. Speaking tasks often ask you to state and justify your opinion, for example about school, hobbies or the environment, using phrases like 'minu arvates' and 'sest'.

Describing something in speech or writing, such as a person, a place, a picture or a process, using suitable adjectives, spatial words and a logical order of details.

Formal register used in letters to institutions, applications and notices, with polite forms like 'Lugupeetud' and 'Lugupidamisega'. It contrasts with informal style used with friends and family.

Informal register used in messages to friends and family, with familiar greetings, shortened forms and direct address. Choosing the right register is part of the writing assessment.

A numeral word such as 'kaks', 'kolmas' or 'sada'. Numbers appear in listening and reading tasks about prices, dates and times, and their case forms can be tricky.

Talking about time using clock times, days, months and dates, for example 'kell kolm', 'esmaspäeval' or 'kaheteistkümnendal mail'. These expressions are frequent in listening and reading tasks.