Küsitähend

Küsitähend is an Estonian word that translates to "question mark" in English. It is used in written Estonian to indicate a question, similar to its usage in many other languages. The question mark is placed at the end of a sentence that asks something.

The Estonian word for question mark, küsitähend, is a compound word. "Küsi" means "ask" or "request," and "tähend" is derived from "tähendus," meaning "sign" or "meaning." Thus, the word literally signifies "asking sign."

In Estonian punctuation, the question mark functions much like its Western counterparts. It signals an interrogative sentence. For example, "Kas sa tuled?" translates to "Are you coming?" and the küsitähend at the end clearly denotes that the sentence is a question.

While the primary function remains universal, some nuances in usage might exist within specific literary or stylistic contexts. However, for everyday communication and standard writing, the küsitähend is a direct equivalent of the English question mark. Its presence is crucial for clarity and proper sentence structure in the Estonian language.