õhtust

Õhtust is an Estonian greeting used in the evening. It is commonly heard as a standalone greeting or as part of the fuller phrase Tere õhtust, which translates to “Good evening.” The word õhtust comes from õhtu, meaning “evening,” and the form is a shortened, informally used version in spoken language. In everyday speech people may simply say Õhtust! in casual settings or use Tere õhtust in more courteous interactions, such as when greeting colleagues, customers, or hosts in the evening.

The timing is flexible but generally aligns with evening hours, when it is understood to be evening time. In written form, Õhtust is less frequent than the full phrase, appearing mainly in dialogue, casual messages, or signs, where a brief greeting is appropriate. A common closing phrase is Head õhtut, meaning “Have a good evening,” which is widely used in conversations and correspondence.

Pronunciation centers on the Estonian vowel õ, a close front rounded vowel, with the word typically stressed on the first syllable: ÕHT-ut. The standalone form Õhtust is primarily a greeting; for more formal or explicit use, Tere õhtust is preferred, and Head õhtut is used as a well-wishing closing.

See also: Tere hommikust (Good morning), Tere päevast (Good day/afternoon), Head ööd (Good night).