Greetings and politeness in Estonian
Hello, please, thank you, sorry: the ten openers everything else builds on. Play the ten Estonian words against the clock, with a note on how locals really use each one after every answer. All ten are written out below.
All 11 Estonian phrases in this lesson
- TereTEH-reh
- Hello
- Tere hommikustTEH-reh HOM-mee-koost
- Good morning
- Tere õhtustTEH-reh UH-tust
- Good evening
- NägemistNAE-geh-mist
- Goodbye
- NäemeNAE-meh
- See you
- PalunPAH-loon
- Please
- AitähEYE-tae
- Thank you
- Pole tänu väärtPOH-leh TAE-noo VAERT
- You're welcome
- VabandustVAH-ban-dust
- Sorry
- Vabandagevah-BAN-dah-geh
- Excuse me
- Meeldiv tutvudaMAYL-div TOOT-voo-dah
- Nice to meet you
The standard all-purpose greeting, usable any time of day with anyone. Estonians are reserved by nature, so a simple Tere with a nod is perfectly warm. Do not expect big smiles from strangers.
Used until around noon. The word hommikust is in the genitive case, which is typical of Estonian time expressions. A friendly opener in a cafe or hotel.
Said arriving anywhere in the evening. The õ is a sound between the u in "but" and a short e.
Literally "until seeing." The most common farewell. The ä is like the a in "cat." Head aega (good time) is another warm goodbye but nägemist is the safe everyday choice.
Literally "we see", the casual goodbye. Nägemist is the polite one; friends also say tšau (chow).
Said when making a request, or when handing something to someone (similar to German "bitte"). Always add it when ordering or asking for help. It softens any request immediately.
The everyday thank-you you will say dozens of times a day. Stress the first syllable. The final ä is short and crisp. Estonians appreciate politeness even if they do not show it expressively.
Literally "not worth thanks". Palun (PAH-loon) also works, but it is already please.
The everyday apology, for a bump or a mistake.
The polite form, for getting someone's attention or asking to pass.
Literally "pleasant to become acquainted." A complete phrase said after introductions. Estonians may give a firm handshake more than a hug when meeting for the first time.