Greetings

1. Tere

   Hello

   Usage

   The most common Estonian greeting, suitable for any time of day

   Grammar Note

   Tere works any time of day. Also used in Tere hommikust (good morning) and Tere õhtust (good evening)

2. Tere hommikust

   Good morning

   Usage

   Morning greeting; hommikust is the elative case of hommik (morning)

   Grammar Note

   Estonian has 14 cases. Hommikust is elative of hommik (morning) — literally "from morning"

3. Head aega

   Goodbye

   Usage

   Farewell; literally means "good time (to you)"

   Grammar Note

   Head (hea, good) in the partitive + aega (aeg, time) in the partitive. Informal goodbye: Nägemist

4. Aitäh

   Thank you

   Usage

   One of the most essential Estonian words, usable in any situation

   Grammar Note

   Aitäh derives from old Estonian. Suur aitäh means "big thank you / thank you very much"

5. Vabandage

   Excuse me (formal)

   Usage

   Formal "excuse me" or "sorry", used with strangers or in apologies

   Grammar Note

   Vabandage is the formal imperative of vabandama (to apologize). Casual: Vabanda

6. Kas te räägite inglise keelt?

   Do you speak English?

   Usage

   English is widely spoken in Estonia, especially among younger generations

   Grammar Note

   Kas is a question particle. Inglise keelt is partitive of inglise keel (English language)

7. Kuidas läheb?

   How are you?

   Usage

   Greeting for acquaintances; typical reply is Hästi, aitäh (Fine, thank you)

   Grammar Note

   Läheb is 3rd person singular of minema (to go). Literally "how is it going"

8. Tore teid kohata

   Nice to meet you

   Usage

   Polite greeting when meeting someone for the first time

   Grammar Note

   Teid is the partitive of te (formal you), the form used as an object. Estonian uses te for formal address

9. Tere tulemast

   Welcome

   Usage

   Welcome guests or visitors; commonly heard in hotels and shops

   Grammar Note

   Tulemast is elative of tulemine (coming). Literally "greeting from coming"

10. Palun

    Please / Here you go

    Usage

    Versatile phrase for making requests or offering something

    Grammar Note

    Palun is 1st person singular of paluma (to ask/request), used as both "please" and "here you go"

11. Kus on tualett?

    Where is the toilet/bathroom?

    Usage

    Used to ask for the location of the toilet in public places or restaurants

    Grammar Note

    "Kus" is the Estonian question word for location. "WC" is also widely understood

12. Ma ei räägi eesti keelt

    I can't speak Estonian

    Usage

    Used to let someone know you don't speak Estonian

    Grammar Note

    Estonian negation uses "ei" + verb stem. "Eesti keelt" is the partitive of "eesti keel"

13. Tulen veel tagasi.

    I'll come again

    Usage

    Said when leaving a shop — a friendly way to signal you enjoyed it

14. Mul oli väga lõbus.

    I had a great time

    Usage

    Said when parting, to share how much you enjoyed it

15. Aitäh, näeme!

    Thanks, see you

    Usage

    A casual farewell for someone you've become friendly with

16. Head ööd.

    Good night

    Usage

    Said just before going to sleep — not a farewell, but a bedtime greeting

17. Lähen nüüd ära.

    I'm heading out

    Usage

    Said when leaving your lodging for a while

18. Olen tagasi.

    I'm back

    Usage

    Said upon returning to your lodging

19. Vabandage, ma pean nüüd minema.

    I'll be going now

    Usage

    A polite phrase for excusing yourself when leaving before others

20. Pole tänu väärt.

    You're welcome

    Usage

    A reply when someone thanks you; literally "not worth thanking for"

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