Küsilauset

Küsilauset is an Estonian word that translates to "question sentence" or "interrogative sentence" in English. It refers to a grammatical construction used to ask a question. In Estonian, question sentences can be formed in several ways. One common method involves using interrogative words such as "kes" (who), "mis" (what), "kus" (where), "millal" (when), "miks" (why), "kuidas" (how), and "kumb" (which). For example, "Kes sa oled?" means "Who are you?".

Another way to form a question sentence in Estonian is by changing the word order or using a question particle. The particle "kas" is frequently used at the beginning of a sentence to indicate a yes/no question, without changing the basic subject-verb order. For instance, "Kas sa tuled?" translates to "Are you coming?". The absence of "kas" but with a rising intonation at the end of a declarative sentence can also signal a question, although this is more informal and context-dependent.

The structure of a küsilause often depends on the type of question being asked. Direct questions are those that explicitly ask for information. Indirect questions, on the other hand, are embedded within another sentence, often introduced by verbs of asking, wondering, or knowing. Understanding the nuances of küsilause construction is essential for fluent communication in Estonian.