mitmeid

Mitmeid is an Estonian quantifier used to indicate an unspecified but substantial number of things. It translates roughly as “several” or “many” and occurs with nouns in the partitive case, for example mitmeid inimesi (several people) and mitmeid raamatuid (several books). The form signals a non-specific quantity rather than a precise count.

Usage and nuance: Mitmeid conveys a non-exact quantity and is appropriate when the speaker does not specify the exact number. It is common in both spoken and written Estonian and tends to appear in neutral or formal contexts. It contrasts with paljud, which is a more definitive, nominative form of “many” used when the noun is in the subject position (for example, paljud inimesed).

Grammar and related forms: Mitmeid is the partitive plural form of the stem related to the numeral mitu. The base forms in related paradigms include mitu (how many), mitmed (nominative plural), and mitme (genitive singular). These forms share a common root and are used in different grammatical cases to express quantity or quantity-related meaning.

Examples:

- Me nägime mitmeid inimesi üritusel. (We saw several people at the event.)

- Ta kirjutas mitmeid artikleid viimase aasta jooksul. (He wrote several articles during the last year.)

- Mitmeid raamatuid jäi riiulile. (Several books remained on the shelf.)

See also: Estonian grammar, quantifiers in Estonian.