Lauseküsimusi

Lauseküsimusi, a term originating from Estonian linguistics, refers to interrogative clauses that function as embedded questions within a larger sentence. These are distinct from direct questions, which stand alone. Instead, a lauseküsimus is grammatically integrated into the main clause, often introduced by a conjunction or a specific interrogative word.

Common introductory words for lauseküsimusi include "kas" (whether/if), "kes" (who), "mis" (what), "kus" (where), "millal" (when), "miks" (why), and "kuidas" (how). For instance, in the sentence "Ma ei tea, kas ta tuleb" (I don't know if he is coming), "kas ta tuleb" is a lauseküsimus. Similarly, "Ma ei tea, kes ta on" (I don't know who he is) contains a lauseküsimus introduced by "kes".

The grammatical structure of a lauseküsimus often mirrors that of a direct question in terms of word order, but it does not typically end with a question mark when it is part of a declarative sentence. The overall sentence containing the lauseküsimus is usually a statement, with the embedded question serving to convey uncertainty or to report an inquiry. Understanding lauseküsimusi is crucial for comprehending complex sentence structures and nuanced meaning in Estonian.