äppe

Õpe is the Estonian noun meaning education, instruction, or learning. It denotes the process by which individuals acquire knowledge, skills, and competences, and it also refers to the organized activities that facilitate this process, such as teaching, coursework, and assessment. In everyday language, õpe is often connected to the practical side of learning, while haridus more broadly denotes the educational system and outcomes; together they shape lifelong learning in society.

The form õppe is most commonly the genitive singular of õpe and appears in numerous compound words. Examples include õppeaine (a subject of study), õppeprotsess (the learning process), õppetöö (study work), and õppeaasta (an academic year). Other frequent compounds describe learning environments or materials, such as õppematerjal (learning material) and õppesüsteem (educational system). The term is used across education levels, from early childhood education to higher education.

In Estonia, õpe is embedded in the legal and policy framework of education. The language distinguishes between õpe as the process of learning and haridus as the broader system of education, including schools, curricula, and institutions. The concept covers formal schooling, vocational training, and lifelong learning, and it is central to discussions of quality, accessibility, and outcomes of education.

Related topics include Õppimine, Õppetöö, Õppeaine, Haridus, and the broader context of Estonian education.