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Eesti Keel Estonian
Family	Sub-family	Language of	Script
Finno-Ugric	Baltic-Finnic	Estonia European Union	Extended Latin

This page aims to explain some of the differences in similar words in the Estonian lexicon.

Arvama vs. Mõtlema

These two are used interchangeably sometimes so the meanings aren't completely clear cut. However:

• Mõtlema is to think generally
• Arvama is to guess, but also to give an opinion.

Examples:

Ma mõtlen, et võib-olla läheme kinno. I think we might go to the movies.
Ka ma arvan, et oli väga hea film. I think it was a really good movie too.

Note that when expressing opinions, you can also say: muMa (I) - Genitive meelestMeel (Mind) - Elative (from my mind).

Examples:

Film oli mu meelest väga hea. In my opinion the movie was really good.

Tundma vs. Teadma

Both Tundma and Teadma mean to know. However:

• Tundma means literally to feel, but is used to know people.
• Teadma means to know a fact.

This needs to be checked

Examples:

Kas sa tunned mu sõpra Inglismaalt? Do you know my friend from England?
Kas sa tead, kui ta on? Do you know where he/she is?

Oskama vs. Võin vs. Saan

These three verbs all mean to be able in various forms.

• Oskama is the general ability to do something.
• Võima directly means "to have the power to ...". It comes from the word võimVõim (Power). It is normally used to offer help to someone. In some contexts it can be used to boast or in a threatening manner.
• Saama is having the ability once again to do something: "I can ... again!". As though you once could, lost the ability, and now can again.

Examples:

Ma võin ise need kotid autosse viia. I can take these bags to the car myself.
Ma saan jälle hingata. I can breathe again.
Ma oskan inglise keelt rääkida. I can speak English.

Estonian pages
Introduction · Adpositions · Cases · Conjunctions · Lexicon · Numbers · Modal Verbs · Pronouns · Verbs · Vocabulary

Finno-Ugric Languages
Baltic-Finnic	Estonian · Finnish · Ingrian · Karelian · Livonian · Veps · Votic · Võro
Permic	Komi · Udmurt
Ugric	Hungarian · Khanty · Mansi
N/A	Erzya · Mari · Moksha