Küsitähis

Küsitähis is an Estonian term that translates to "question mark" in English. It is a punctuation mark used to indicate the end of an interrogative sentence. In written Estonian, the question mark functions similarly to its use in many other languages, signaling that the preceding words form a question that requires an answer or response.

The visual representation of a küsitähis is a small circle with a curved line descending from its bottom, ending in a dot. This symbol is placed at the end of a sentence that is posed as a question. For example, "Mis su nimi on?" translates to "What is your name?" and the küsitähis at the end clearly indicates it's a question.

While the primary function is to denote a question, a küsitähis can also be used in certain contexts to express doubt or uncertainty, even if the sentence is not a direct question. This usage is less common and depends heavily on the surrounding text and tone. However, its most fundamental role remains the grammatical identification of an interrogative statement. The proper use of the küsitähis is essential for clear and accurate written communication in Estonian.