omastavühendused

Omastavühendused, also known as genitive constructions, are grammatical structures in Estonian where one noun modifies another, indicating possession, origin, or a part-whole relationship. This modification is typically achieved by placing the modifying noun in the genitive case. For example, in the phrase "maja katus" (the roof of the house), "maja" is in the genitive case, signifying that the roof belongs to the house.

This construction is fundamental to expressing a wide range of relationships. It can denote ownership, as seen in "Mari raamat" (Mari's book). It also expresses origin or belonging, such as "Eesti keel" (the Estonian language) or "tüdruk sõber" (a friend of the girl). Furthermore, omastavühendused are used to describe parts of a whole, like "auto ratas" (the wheel of the car).

The genitive case ending in Estonian varies depending on the noun's declension class and number. Common genitive endings include -i, -u, -a, and -e. The structure of an omastavühendus is generally the modifying noun in the genitive followed by the modified noun in the nominative. Understanding omastavühendused is crucial for comprehending the nuances of Estonian grammar and constructing grammatically correct and meaningful sentences.