seitse

Seitse is the Estonian word for the cardinal number seven. It is used in counting and in expressions that indicate quantities, ages, dates, and measurements. In everyday language it appears in phrases such as “seitse päeva” (seven days) or “seitse korda” (seven times). Like other Estonian numerals, seitses form a modifier that can take different case endings when combined with nouns, and it participates in the same grammatical patterns as adjectives in the language.

Etymology and cognates: Seitse belongs to the Finnic branch of the Uralic language family. It is cognate with Finnish seitsemän and related forms in other Finnic languages, all tracing back to a common Proto-Finnic root for the number seven. The Estonian form is distinct in its sound and inflection, but the semantic core is shared across the Finnic languages.

Usage and forms: The numeral 7 is also written as 7 in digits when appropriate. The ordinal form for seven is typically seitsmes, used to denote seventh place or position (for example, “seitsmes koht” = seventh place). The genitive form is usually seitsme (for example, “seitsme päeva” = of seven days). In standard Estonian, numerals decline like other adjectives and agree with the noun they modify in case and number.

In summary, seitses basic role is as the Estonian word for seven within the decimal counting system, with cognates across Finnic languages and regular use in both spoken and written Estonian.