tükke

Tükke is an Estonian grammatical form derived from the noun tükk, which means “piece” or “chunk.” Tükke is the partitive plural form used when referring to an indefinite quantity or a portion of something. In Estonian, the partitive case often signals that the amount is not counted or is only partially involved in the action, and tükke appears in sentences where pieces or chunks are being talked about in a non-definite way.

The form is used in everyday language to express quantities that are not specified or are partially consumed. It often follows quantifiers or numerals that indicate an indefinite amount, and it frequently functions as the object of verbs that require a partitive rather than a definite accusative. Because it is a case form rather than a standalone lexical item, tükke is primarily encountered in written and spoken Estonian grammar and usage.

Examples of usage are common in contexts like shopping, food, or fragments of objects. For instance, a speaker might say “Ma ostsin mõned tükke” to mean “I bought some pieces,” or use tükke in phrases describing portions that are not fully enumerated. The exact meaning of tükke will depend on the surrounding context and the noun it relates to, but it consistently reflects indefiniteness or partial quantity.

In related Finnic languages, cognate forms exist for the general concept of “piece” or “chunk,” though the exact inflection and usage patterns differ by language. In Estonian, tükke is specifically the partitive plural form of tükk.