otseküsimuse

Otseküsimus is the Estonian term for a direct question, a form of interrogative intended to elicit a specific answer in its original, question-form expression. In linguistic and journalistic use, it contrasts with kaudne küsimus (indirect question), where the content of the question is embedded in a declarative clause and its interrogative form is not preserved.

In Estonian, direct questions can be formed with interrogative words such as mida (what), mis (what), miks (why), kus (where), kuidas (how), or with the particle kas for yes/no questions. Direct questions are typically marked by punctuation with a question mark, and in written form they may be introduced by quotation marks or a colon when reporting someone’s exact words: Ta küsis: "Kui palju see maksab?" or Ta küsis, "Kui palju see maksab?" The word order often remains suitable to the surrounding clause, though prosody and a question mark signal the interrogative nature.

Direct questions are commonly used in news reporting, interviews, and transcripts to convey precisely what someone asked, without altering the original wording. They enable readers to see the exact inquiry, as opposed to indirect questions, which paraphrase or summarize the question within a complete sentence. Understanding the distinction between otseküsimus and kaudne küsimus helps in punctuation, quoting practices, and the interpretation of reported speech in Estonian texts. See also: kaudne küsimus, otseteksti, otsene kõne.