rõhuti

Rõhuti is a term used in Estonian phonetics to describe the phenomenon of stress or emphasis in words. In Estonian, stress is a crucial aspect of pronunciation, as it can change the meaning of a word. The stress in Estonian words typically falls on the first syllable, but there are exceptions where the stress can shift to other syllables depending on the word's origin or meaning.

The term "rõhuti" comes from the Estonian word "rõhk", which means "stress" or "emphasis". The placement of stress in a word is not arbitrary but follows specific rules. For example, in native Estonian words, stress usually falls on the first syllable. However, in borrowed words, the stress can be on the second or third syllable, or even on the last syllable, depending on the original language of the word.

In writing, stress is often indicated by an accent mark (á) over the vowel that receives the stress. For example, the word "täna" (today) is stressed on the first syllable, while the word "täná" (thank you) is stressed on the second syllable.

Understanding and correctly applying stress in Estonian is essential for both native speakers and learners of the language. It helps in pronunciation, comprehension, and the correct usage of words in sentences.