Teised

Teised is an Estonian word used as both an adjective and a substantive pronoun meaning “the others” or “the rest.” It denotes people or things that are distinct from those already mentioned or considered. Teised is commonly used to contrast groups, indicate alternatives, or refer to the remaining items in a set.

Etymology: The word is derived from teine, meaning “other” or “second.” It shares roots with cognates in other Finnic languages, such as Finnish toinen, which carries a similar sense of “the other” or “the second.”

Usage: When placed before a noun, teised functions as a demonstrative adjective: teised inimesed (the other people), teised variandid (the other options). It agrees with the noun in number and case. Teised can also serve as a predicative or substantive pronoun meaning “the others.” Examples: Kõik tulid; teised jäid koju. Need on teised, mitte esimesed. In formal or academic contexts, teised is used to distinguish groups or options in discussions of attitudes, choices, or datasets.

Grammatical notes: Teised declines like other adjectives, appearing in nominative plural as teised, with inflected forms in other cases. It is distinct from teistsugune (different, of another kind), which refers to qualitative difference rather than a specific group of referents.

Related terms: teine; teistsugune; teist.