Basic Nouns

1. vesi

   Water

   Usage

   The basic word for drinking water; works with pointing

   Grammar Note

   Estonian has neither articles nor gender; the genitive is "vee"

2. toit

   Food

   Usage

   The general word when you are looking for something to eat

   Grammar Note

   Genitive "toidu"; a meal is "söök"

3. raha

   Money

   Usage

   Comes up when paying or changing currency

   Grammar Note

   The genitive is also "raha"; small change is "peenraha"

4. tualett

   Toilet

   Usage

   The word alone is enough to ask for directions

   Grammar Note

   Signs usually read "WC"

5. pabertaskurätik

   Tissue

   Usage

   For asking at a shop or a diner

   Grammar Note

   A compound of "paber" (paper), "tasku" (pocket) and "rätik" (cloth)

6. ravim

   Medicine

   Usage

   The core word at a pharmacy, paired with your symptom

   Grammar Note

   Plural "ravimid"; a pharmacy is "apteek"

7. pagas

   Luggage

   Usage

   For checking in, picking up, or storing bags

   Grammar Note

   A collective noun; one suitcase is "kohver"

8. võti

   Key

   Usage

   For collecting or returning it at hotel reception

   Grammar Note

   Genitive "võtme", plural "võtmed"

9. pilet

   Ticket

   Usage

   The base word for transport and admission tickets

   Grammar Note

   Plural "piletid"

10. pass

    Passport

    Usage

    Comes up at every check-in and border control

    Grammar Note

    Plural "passid"

11. telefon

    Phone

    Usage

    Refers to the device and to making a call

    Grammar Note

    A mobile is "mobiiltelefon" or just "mobiil"

12. laadija

    Charger

    Usage

    When you want to borrow one at a hotel or café

    Grammar Note

    Derived from "laadima" (to charge)

13. jaam

    Station

    Usage

    The easiest landmark to name when asking directions

    Grammar Note

    A railway station is "raudteejaam", a bus station "bussijaam"

14. haigla

    Hospital

    Usage

    The first word you need if you fall ill

    Grammar Note

    Derived from "haige" (a sick person)

15. politsei

    Police

    Usage

    For theft or accidents; the word alone gets help

    Grammar Note

    Used both for the force and for an individual officer

16. pood

    Shop

    Usage

    The general word when hunting for somewhere to buy things

    Grammar Note

    Genitive "poe"; a shopping centre is "kaubanduskeskus"

17. tuba

    Room

    Usage

    For negotiating a stay or confirming a room number

    Grammar Note

    Genitive "toa"; a hotel room is "hotellituba"

18. tee

    Road

    Usage

    Used when asking directions, often over a map

    Grammar Note

    Spelled the same as "tea", so context decides; a town street is "tänav"

19. perekond

    Family

    Usage

    Comes up in small talk about who you are travelling with

    Grammar Note

    Often shortened to "pere"

20. nimi

    Name

    Usage

    For confirming a booking or introducing yourself

    Grammar Note

    Surname "perekonnanimi", first name "eesnimi"

21. pea

    Head

    Usage

    Body part word for showing where it hurts

22. silm

    Eye

    Usage

    Singular nominative; both eyes is the plural "silmad"

23. hammas

    Tooth

    Usage

    A dentist is "hambaarst"; point at the tooth that hurts

24. kurk

    Throat

    Usage

    The same word also means "cucumber" — point at your throat so the meaning is clear

25. kõht

    Stomach / belly

    Usage

    The belly as a whole; the stomach organ is "magu"

26. selg

    Back

    Usage

    The back as a whole

27. alaselg

    Lower back

    Usage

    "ala" (lower) + "selg" (back); lower-back pain is "alaseljavalu"

28. jalg

    Leg / foot

    Usage

    Estonian uses one word for both leg and foot; point at your own body for the exact spot

29. käsi

    Hand

    Usage

    In everyday use it can cover the whole arm; use "käsivars" when you mean the arm specifically

30. rindkere

    Chest

    Usage

    The anatomical chest; the bare word "rind" can also mean breast, so this compound is used instead

31. hotell

    Hotel

    Usage

    Show to a taxi driver or passer-by as your destination

32. lennujaam

    Airport

    Usage

    "lennu" (of flight) + "jaam" (station); show it as your destination

33. bussipeatus

    Bus stop

    Usage

    Show when looking for a bus stop; the word also appears on stop signage

34. tramm

    Tram

    Usage

    Estonia has no metro; Tallinn's rail transit is the tram

35. saatkond

    Embassy

    Usage

    Show as a destination when you lose your passport

36. sularahaautomaat

    ATM

    Usage

    Also called "pangaautomaat"; signs often just say ATM

37. valuutavahetus

    Currency exchange

    Usage

    Show when looking for an exchange office; the same word is on the shopfront

38. iseteeninduspesula

    Self-service laundromat

    Usage

    A place where you wash your own laundry; a full-service laundry is "pesumaja"

39. konsulaat

    Consulate

    Usage

    The mission abroad that protects and helps its own citizens, and its building; an embassy is "saatkond"

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