Sõnarõhk

Sõnarõhk refers to the stress placed on a particular syllable within a word. In Estonian, word stress is predominantly fixed, meaning it typically falls on the first syllable of most words. This is a defining characteristic of Estonian phonology and distinguishes it from languages with variable stress patterns where the stress can shift depending on the word or its grammatical form.

There are exceptions to this rule. For instance, certain loanwords, particularly those from Finnish, might retain their original stress patterns. Additionally, some compound words can exhibit secondary stress on syllables other than the first, though the primary stress usually remains on the initial syllable of the first component. The consistent placement of stress on the first syllable contributes to the rhythmic and often perceived "choppy" quality of spoken Estonian. Understanding sõnarõhk is crucial for accurate pronunciation and comprehension of the Estonian language. It influences the auditory perception of words and can affect how easily a listener can distinguish between similar-sounding words. The predictable nature of Estonian word stress simplifies learning for those unfamiliar with the language, as learners do not need to memorize the stress pattern for each individual word.