Sõnavaras

Sõnavaras, in linguistic terms, refers to the vocabulary or lexicon of a language or a speaker. It encompasses the set of lexical items a speaker can understand and use, including base forms (lexemes), inflected forms, derivations, phrases, collocations, idioms, and fixed expressions. The concept is central to studies of language proficiency and lexical competence. Sõnavaras is often divided into active vocabulary (words a speaker readily uses in speech and writing) and passive vocabulary (words recognized and understood but not regularly used). It also includes collocations and semantic networks that influence fluent and natural language use.

The Estonian language, like other highly inflected languages, shows a rich morphology that expands the effective vocabulary through derivation and compounding. As a result, a single root can yield many related forms, increasing apparent vocabulary size. Borrowings from other languages and new coinages also contribute to the evolving sõnavaras, particularly in domains such as technology, science, and culture.

Sõnavaras is studied via corpus linguistics, frequency lists, and vocabulary size tests. In education, explicit attention to vocabulary expansion—through reading, spaced repetition, and exposure to authentic language—enhances comprehension and production. In second language acquisition, vocabulary knowledge is a strong predictor of reading comprehension and communicative ability. The concept thus serves as a core component in lexicon-focused research and language pedagogy.