määräsõnad

Määräsõnad, also known as determiners in English, are a category of words in Estonian grammar that specify or quantify nouns. They play a crucial role in indicating the definiteness, quantity, or possession of a noun phrase. Determiners are essential for clarifying the reference of a noun within a sentence, distinguishing between general and specific meanings.

In Estonian, määräsõnad include articles, possessive pronouns, demonstrative pronouns, interrogative pronouns, indefinite pronouns, and quantifiers. The most common type is the article, which can be definite or indefinite. The definite article in Estonian is uninflected and is used to refer to specific nouns, such as "see auto" (this car). The indefinite article, on the other hand, is used for general or non-specific references, such as "üks auto" (a car).

Possessive pronouns indicate ownership or relationship, like "mina" (my) or "tema" (his/her/its). Demonstrative pronouns, such as "see" (this) or "selle" (that), point out specific nouns in relation to the speaker or listener. Interrogative pronouns like "mis" (what) or "kelle" (whose) are used in questions to seek information about nouns.

Indefinite pronouns, such as "kõik" (all) or "mida" (something), refer to non-specific or unknown quantities. Quantifiers, including words like "mitu" (how many) or "palju" (much), specify the amount or number of nouns. For example, "mitu raamatut" (how many books) or "palju aega" (much time).

Määräsõnad are inflected according to the case, number, and gender of the noun they modify, ensuring grammatical agreement within the noun phrase. Their correct usage is fundamental to the clarity and precision of Estonian sentences, helping to convey specific meanings and avoid ambiguity.