Põhilaus

Põhilaus is an Estonian term that translates to "main clause" or "independent clause" in English grammatical terms. It refers to a complete sentence that can stand alone and express a full thought. A põhilaus contains a subject and a predicate, and it does not depend on another clause for its meaning. In Estonian grammar, understanding the põhilaus is fundamental to constructing coherent sentences and differentiating them from subordinate clauses. For example, in the sentence "Ma lähen poodi, sest mul on vaja leiba," the põhilaus is "Ma lähen poodi" (I am going to the store). The second part, "sest mul on vaja leiba" (because I need bread), is a subordinate clause that modifies the main clause. The ability to identify and form põhilaus enables speakers and writers to express a wide range of ideas clearly and effectively. It is the foundational element upon which more complex sentence structures are built.