Määravatäite

Määravatäite is a term used in Estonian grammar to describe a specific type of noun phrase. It translates roughly to "determiner phrase" or "determinative complement" and functions as a modifier within a larger noun phrase. Essentially, it specifies or restricts the meaning of the head noun.

The structure of a määravatäite typically involves a noun or pronoun that further defines another noun. This can manifest in several ways. For instance, it can be a possessive construction, such as "minu raamat" (my book), where "minu" (my) is the määravatäite specifying whose book it is. It can also be a genitive case noun, like "maja uks" (the door of the house), where "maja" (house) in the genitive case acts as the määravatäite. Demonstrative pronouns like "see" (this) or "too" (that) can also function as määravatäite.

The primary role of a määravatäite is to provide additional information about the head noun, making it more specific. It answers questions like "whose?" or "which one?". Understanding määravatäite is crucial for comprehending the nuances of Estonian noun phrase structure and for constructing grammatically correct sentences. It helps to clarify referents and avoid ambiguity in communication.