Määrreide

Määrreide is a term used in Estonian linguistics to refer to a class of words that accompany a noun in order to limit or specify its reference. In Estonian, there is no system of definite or indefinite articles like in many other languages; instead, määrreid (the plural form used in the genitive) function as determiners that help identify which noun is being talked about and to indicate quantity or close or distant reference. The category includes demonstratives, possessives used attributively, numerals, and other quantifying words.

Demonstratives such as see "this" and too "that" are common among määrreid, signaling spatial or discourse proximity. Possessive forms like minu "my," sinu "your," tema "his/her," meie "our," and teie "your (plural)" can also serve as pre-nominal determiners, as in minu raamat "my book." Numerals and certain quantifiers—kaks "two," kolm "three," palju "many," kõik "all," mõned "some"—function as determiners when placed before a noun, for example kaks inimest "two people," palju aega "a lot of time."

Syntax and morphology of määrreid are characterized by their typical pre-nominal position and their agreement with the noun in case and number in Estonian. They contribute to reference tracking, discourse cohesion, and the expression of quantity or definiteness within a noun phrase. Some determiners can combine with adjectives or other modifiers, forming more complex noun phrases such as see ilus maja "this beautiful house."

In a broader sense, määrreide usage illustrates how Estonian encodes reference and quantity without a dedicated article system, relying instead on a compact set of determiners integrated with case-marked nouns. See also determiner, numeral, demonstrative in cross-linguistic linguistics.