Photography

1. Kas ma tohin siin pilti teha?

   May I take a photo here?

   Usage

   Use to check if photography is permitted in temples or museums

   Grammar Note

   "tohin" is the first-person form of "tohib" (to be allowed). Estonian questions begin with "kas"

2. Kas ma tohin teid pildistada?

   Can I take your photo?

   Usage

   Always ask permission before photographing a person

   Grammar Note

   "teid" is the polite second-person (teie) in the partitive, used as the object. The casual form is "sind"

3. Kas te saaksite meist pildi teha?

   Could you take a photo of us?

   Usage

   Ask a stranger to photograph your group at a tourist spot

   Grammar Note

   "saaksite" is the conditional of "saama" (to get/be able). "meist" is the elative case of "meie" (we)

4. Siin ei ole fotograafia lubatud

   siin ei O-le FO-to-graa-fi-a LU-ba-tud

   Photography is not allowed here.

   Usage

   Used by staff to inform visitors that photography is prohibited

   Grammar Note

   "lubatud" is the past participle of "lubama" (to allow). "ei ole" is the negative copula

5. Valgustus on siin fotode jaoks täiuslik!

   The light is perfect for photos here!

   Usage

   An enthusiastic comment about ideal lighting conditions

   Grammar Note

   "jaoks" is an Estonian postposition meaning for. It follows a noun in the genitive case

6. Kas te saaksite natuke vasakule/paremale liikuda?

   Can you stand a bit to the left / right?

   Usage

   Direct a subject to shift position for better composition

   Grammar Note

   "vasakule/paremale" are the allative (movement toward) cases. Estonian has 14 grammatical cases

7. Kus on parim koht selle vaatamisväärsuse pildistamiseks?

   Where is the best spot to photograph this landmark?

   Usage

   Ask locals for the best vantage point at a landmark

   Grammar Note

   "pildistamiseks" is the translative case (suffix "-ks") expressing purpose: for the purpose of photographing

8. Kaamera aku on tühi — kus saan seda laadida?

   My camera battery is dead — where can I charge it?

   Usage

   Ask at a café or hotel for a charging point

   Grammar Note

   "tühi" means empty; used for a dead battery. "saan" is the first-person present of "saama"

9. Ma otsin mälukaarti

   ma OT-sin MÄ-lu-kaar-ti

   I'm looking for a memory card.

   Usage

   Use in electronics stores or camera shops

   Grammar Note

   "otsima" (to look for) is an unbounded activity, so its object is partitive: "mälukaart" → "mälukaarti". The genitive "mälukaardi" would mark a completed action

10. See vaade on hingematvalt ilus — pean pildi tegema!

    This view is breathtaking — I must take a photo!

    Usage

    An enthusiastic exclamation when encountering a stunning view

    Grammar Note

    "hingematvalt" is the adverb form of "hingemattev" (breathtaking). "pean" from "pidama" expresses must

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