Küsimuslause

A küsimuslause, often translated as an interrogative sentence, is a sentence that asks a question. In Estonian grammar, küsimuslause is distinguished by its purpose: to elicit information from the listener or reader. These sentences typically begin with an interrogative word or a verb, and often have a rising intonation when spoken.

There are several types of küsimuslause. One common type is a yes/no question, which can usually be answered with "jah" (yes) or "ei" (no). Another type is a wh-question (or open question), which starts with an interrogative pronoun or adverb such as "kes" (who), "mis" (what), "kus" (where), "millal" (when), "miks" (why), or "kuidas" (how). These questions seek specific pieces of information rather than a simple confirmation or denial.

Küsimuslause can be formed in various ways. A common method is to invert the subject and the verb, or to place an interrogative word at the beginning of the sentence. For example, "Sa tuled?" (You are coming?) becomes "Kas sa tuled?" (Are you coming?) or "Kes sa oled?" (Who are you?). The particle "kas" is frequently used to introduce yes/no questions, signaling that a question is being asked. The grammatical structure of a küsimuslause is crucial for its function in communication, enabling speakers to inquire, seek clarification, or express curiosity.