Sisulauseid

Sisulauseid is a term used in Estonian grammar to describe a type of subordinate clause that expresses the content of what is said thought known or perceived in the main clause. They function as complements to verbs, adjectives or nouns, providing the exact content of the mental or communicative act. Typical examples are clauses that answer questions like “what is said” or “what is believed,” as in the sentence Ma tean, et ta tuli (I know that he came).

The most common way to introduce a sisulause is with the conjunction et meaning that, in declarative content clauses. Other subordinating elements such as kas (whether/if) and kui (if/when) introduce content clauses that express questions or conditions: Ma otsustasin, kas ma peaksin minema? I decided whether I should go. In these clauses the finite verb generally appears at the end of the subordinate clause, which is a characteristic feature of Estonian subordinate syntax. Sisulauseid can serve as direct objects of verbs like mõelda, öelda, teada, uskuda, kuulata, or as complements following adjectives and nouns that express belief opinion or perception.

Punctuation in Estonian typically places a comma between the main clause and the sisulause, while the internal order of the subordinate clause follows its own grammatical rules. Distinctions are often made between declarative content clauses and interrogative or conditional content clauses, depending on the conjunction used. The concept is part of the broader category of alamlaused (subordinate clauses) in Estonian syntax.