Kirjavahemärk

Kirjavahemärk is the set of symbols used in written Estonian to structure text, indicate pauses and intonation, and clarify meaning. They help readers parse sentences, separate elements in lists, and signal the presence of direct speech, quotations, or abbreviations. Together, kirjavahemärk guide tone, rhythm, and readability in written language.

The common marks include the period or full stop to end statements; the comma to separate items and clauses; the question mark and the exclamation mark to convey tone or inquiry; the colon to introduce explanations or lists; and the semicolon to link related independent clauses. In addition, dash and hyphen are used for breaks, ranges, and compound words; parentheses and brackets enclose supplementary material; quotation marks indicate direct speech or quotations; and the apostrophe, ellipsis, and various technical marks serve more specialized functions. Different marks also appear in numbers and abbreviations, depending on context and style.

Usage rules govern how these marks interact with words, capitalization, and spacing. In Estonian typography, punctuation generally follows established conventions found in style guides and educational materials, with slight variations between formal prose, official documents, and informal or digital writing. Users should place most marks adjacent to the preceding word and separate the next word with a space, while quotation and parenthetical marks may have language-specific placement rules. Overall, kirjavahemärk provide essential guidance for clarity and meaning in Estonian writing.