jég

Jõg is a term originating from Estonian that translates to "river" or "stream" in English. It is a common geographical feature in Estonia, and many place names incorporate the word, indicating the presence of a waterway. For example, the city of Tartu is situated on the Emajõgi, which means "Mother River." The word jõg is part of the Finnic language family and shares similarities with words for river in related languages.

The rivers and streams in Estonia play a significant role in the country's landscape and ecosystem. They are sources of fresh water, support diverse aquatic life, and have historically been important for transportation and settlement. The flow and characteristics of these waterways are influenced by the country's topography, which is generally low-lying and characterized by numerous lakes and wetlands. Understanding the meaning of jõg is therefore key to comprehending Estonian geography and nomenclature.