Language/Standard-estonian/Vocabulary/Days,-months-and-seasons

Standard Estonian → Vocabulary → 0 to A1 Course → Days, months and seasons

Welcome to this engaging lesson on Standard Estonian vocabulary focused on days, months, and seasons! Understanding how to talk about time is essential in any language, and Estonian is no exception. Whether you're planning a meeting, describing your favorite season, or simply discussing what day it is, mastering this vocabulary will significantly enhance your conversational skills.

In this lesson, we'll take a deep dive into the following sections:

Importance of Days, Months, and Seasons

In Estonian culture, like many others, the concepts of days, months, and seasons are closely tied to traditions, festivals, and everyday life. Knowing these terms allows you to engage more meaningfully with locals, whether you're discussing plans for the weekend or sharing thoughts about seasonal festivities. Learning this vocabulary not only enriches your language skills but also deepens your understanding of Estonian culture and rhythm of life.

Structure of the Lesson

1. Days of the Week - Learn the names of the days and their pronunciations.

2. Months of the Year - Familiarize yourself with the months and how to use them in sentences.

3. Seasons - Discover the four seasons and their significance in Estonian culture.

4. Practice Exercises - Apply what you've learned with practical exercises and solutions.

Days of the Week

Estonian has a straightforward way of naming the days of the week, making it easier for beginners to memorize. Here’s a table with the days of the week:

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
esmaspäev	ˈɛs.mɑs.pæ͡e̞v	Monday
teisipäev	ˈteɪ.si.pæ͡e̞v	Tuesday
kolmapäev	ˈkɔl.mɑ.pæ͡e̞v	Wednesday
neljapäev	ˈnel.jɑ.pæ͡e̞v	Thursday
reede	ˈreː.dɛ	Friday
laupäev	ˈlɑu̯.pæ͡e̞v	Saturday
pühapäev	ˈpyh.ɑ.pæ͡e̞v	Sunday

As you can see, each day has a unique sound and rhythm. Here are some tips to help you remember:

• esmaspäev (Monday): Think of it as the first day of the week, starting fresh.

• reede (Friday): Often associated with excitement, as the weekend approaches!

Using Days in Sentences

Let’s look at some practical examples of how to use these days in sentences:

1. "Täna on esmaspäev." - "Today is Monday."

2. "Reedel ma lähen kinno." - "On Friday, I will go to the cinema."

3. "Kolmapäeval on mul eksam." - "I have an exam on Wednesday."

Months of the Year

Next, let’s explore the months. Understanding the months of the year will help you plan events, celebrate holidays, and discuss the weather. Here’s a table with the months:

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
jaanuar	ˈjɑː.nʊ.ɑr	January
veebruar	ˈveːb.rʊ.rɑr	February
märts	mɛrts	March
aprill	ɑˈpril	April
mai	mɑɪ	May
juuni	ˈjuː.ni	June
juuli	ˈjuː.li	July
august	ɑʊ̯ɡʊst	August
september	sɛpˈtɛmbɛr	September
oktoober	ɔkˈto̞ˌber	October
november	nɔvˈɛm.bɛr	November
detsember	dɛtˈsɛm.bɛr	December

When using months in sentences, remember to adjust your verb forms accordingly. Here are some examples:

1. "Märtsis on kevad." - "In March, it is spring."

2. "Juulis on soe." - "In July, it is warm."

3. "Detsembris on talv." - "In December, it is winter."

Seasons

Now, let’s move on to the seasons, which play a significant role in Estonian life, influencing everything from fashion to festivities. Here’s the vocabulary for the four seasons:

Standard Estonian	Pronunciation	English
kevad	ˈkɛ.vɑd	spring
suvi	ˈsu.vi	summer
sügis	ˈsy.ɡis	autumn
talv	tɑlv	winter

Seasons can be used in various contexts. Here are some example sentences:

1. "Kevad on ilus aeg." - "Spring is a beautiful time."

2. "Suvel me käime sageli rannas." - "In summer, we often go to the beach."

3. "Talvel on palju lund." - "In winter, there is a lot of snow."

Practice Exercises

To solidify your understanding of days, months, and seasons, here are some practical exercises:

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct day of the week:

1. Täna on ________ (Monday).

2. ________ (Friday) ma lähen väljas sööma.

Solution:

1. esmaspäev

2. Reede

Exercise 2: Matching

Match the months with their English translations:

1. jaanuar

2. aprill

3. juuni

4. detsember

a. December

b. April

c. January

d. June

Solution:

1 - c, 2 - b, 3 - d, 4 - a

Exercise 3: Word Scramble

Unscramble the words to find the names of the seasons:

1. vtal

2. suvi

3. gisyü

Solution:

1. talv (winter)

2. suvi (summer)

3. sügis (autumn)

Exercise 4: Sentence Creation

Create a sentence using each month and the phrase "on the first day of" (e.g., "Jaanuaris on esimene päev...").

Solution Example:

1. Jaanuaris on esimene päev külm. (The first day of January is cold.)

Exercise 5: True or False

Determine whether the statements are true or false:

1. “Talv on soe.” (Winter is warm.)

2. “Suvel on lund.” (It snows in summer.)

Solution:

1. False

2. False

Exercise 6: Translation Practice

Translate the following sentences into Estonian:

1. "Today is Wednesday."

2. "In December, it is very cold."

Solution:

1. "Täna on kolmapäev."

2. "Detsembris on väga külm."

Exercise 7: Multiple Choice

Which month comes after September?

a) August

b) October

c) November

Solution: b) October

Exercise 8: Fill in the Correct Season

Fill in the blank with the correct season:

“________ on aeg, mil lilled õitsevad.” (________ is the time when flowers bloom.)

Solution: kevad (spring)

Exercise 9: Create a Dialogue

Write a short dialogue between two people discussing their favorite seasons. Include at least two sentences from each person.

Solution Example:

A: "Mis on su lemmik aastaaeg?" (What is your favorite season?)

B: "Minu lemmik on suvi, kuna ma armastan rannas käia." (My favorite is summer because I love going to the beach.)

Exercise 10: Days of the Week Quiz

List the days of the week in Estonian.

Solution:

1. esmaspäev

2. teisipäev

3. kolmapäev

4. neljapäev

5. reede

6. laupäev

7. pühapäev

This lesson on days, months, and seasons in Standard Estonian serves as a foundational step in your journey towards fluency. With practice and repetition, you'll find these words becoming second nature, allowing you to express yourself with ease in various contexts. Keep practicing, and soon you'll be navigating conversations about time like a pro!

Table of Contents - Standard Estonian Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Estonian

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Common Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Pronouns

• Noun Cases
• Personal Pronouns

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-100
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Hobbies and Free Time

  ---

Adjectives and Adverbs

• Adjective Declension
• Adverbs

  ---

Food and Dining

• Food and Drinks
• Eating Out

  ---

Estonian Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Traditional Music and Dance

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

  ---

Prepositions and Conjunctions

• Prepositions
• Conjunctions

  ---

At Home and Work

• Home and Furniture
• Work and Professions

  ---

Estonian History

• Historical Overview
• Estonian Language History

  ---

Negation and Questions

• Negation
• Question Words and Formation

Other Lessons

• How to Say Hello and Greetings
• Time
• Fruits
• Drinks
• Animals
• Countries
• Transportation and travel
• Education
• Languages