Relatiivklaus

Relatiivklaus, often translated as relative clause, is a grammatical construction that modifies a noun or noun phrase. It provides additional information about the noun it is attached to, much like an adjective. In Estonian grammar, these clauses are typically introduced by relative pronouns such as kes (who/which, for people) and mis (which, for things), or by relative adverbs like kus (where), millal (when), or kuidas (how).

The function of a relatiivklaus is to specify or describe the antecedent noun. For example, in the sentence "Mees, kes seisab seal, on minu isa" (The man who is standing there is my father), "kes seisab seal" is the relatiivklaus modifying "mees". It tells us which man is being referred to. Similarly, "Raamat, mis lebab laual, on väga huvitav" (The book that lies on the table is very interesting) uses "mis lebab laual" to define the specific book.

Relatiivklausid can be restrictive or non-restrictive. Restrictive clauses are essential for identifying the noun and are not set off by commas. Non-restrictive clauses provide extra, non-essential information and are typically set off by commas. The structure and usage of relatiivklausid are fundamental to creating more complex and descriptive sentences in Estonian. They are a common feature found in many languages, serving a similar purpose across different grammatical systems.