erisõna
Erisõna, in Estonian linguistics, refers to the word class commonly known in English as pronouns. It includes words that replace a noun phrase or refer to people, places, or things without naming them directly. Erisõnad help avoid repetition and show relations in sentences, such as who is involved, what is being talked about, or how items relate to each other. They can function in place of nouns or accompany nouns to indicate possession, interrogation, or relation.
The main subtypes of erisõna include:
- Isikulised asesõnad (personal pronouns): mina (I), sina (you), tema (he/she), meie (we), teie (you all), nemad
- Näitajad või demonstratiivsed asesõnad (demonstratives): see (this), too (that), selline (such). They can function as pronouns
- Omastussõnad (possessive pronouns/determinatives): minu, sinu, tema, meie, teie, nende. They express ownership and agree with the
- Küsimsõnad (interrogatives): kes (who), mis (what), kumb (which), milline (what kind). They introduce questions.
- Relatiivsed asesõnad (relative pronouns): kes, kelle, kellel, mida, mis, etc. They link clauses and refer back
- Refleksivad asesõnad (reflexive pronouns): enda. They refer back to the subject.
- Vastastikused asesõnad (reciprocal pronouns): üksteist. They indicate mutual actions or relations.
Erisõnad inflectivad ja käänatakse vastavalt lause grammatilistele vajadustele; isikulised asesõnad muutuvad kääntel ning teised võivad toimida