perekonna

Perekonna is the genitive singular form of the Estonian noun perekond, which means family. In Estonian grammar, perekonna is used to express possession or association, answering questions such as whose or of what before a noun. Common constructions include perekonna ajalugu (the family’s history), perekonna liikmed (the members of the family), and perekonna nimi (the family name). The form functions to link a noun to a familial relationship.

Grammatically, perekonna is a possessive form that precedes another noun to indicate belonging or attribution. It is not a separate concept but a standard inflection of perekond. It appears in many everyday phrases and in official or formal contexts, including genealogical writing and personal identification documents where family connections are described.

In cultural and practical terms, the family is considered a fundamental social unit in Estonia, as in many societies. Modern Estonian households commonly consist of nuclear families, though extended family ties may still be relevant in certain contexts. Genealogical and family-history terminology frequently uses perekonna in phrases such as perekonna ajalugu and perekonna puu (family tree) to document lineage and kinship.