Lessons for English speakers
Learn to read Estonian
A short, active path into reading Estonian: four new vowel letters and nine real words decoded before anything is explained, endings where English has little words, the verb that never changes after ei, and two short stories before your first book.
13 core sections · ≈ 33 min + 3 optional lookups · ≈ 46 min with everything
3
Read nine real words with the letters you just met
≈ 1 min
What you'll learn
- The letters you just met are all you need: these nine words use nothing else.
- Each hint names the one letter likely to catch you.
- Lean on the first beat, and give every letter its sound.
Nine words for the two stories
Say the word aloud, first beat loudest. Then reveal, say it again, move on.
- maja
The j is a y.
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majaMAH-yah“house” - hiir
The h is said, and the doubled i is held.
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hiirheer“mouse” - rebane
Three beats, and the loud one is the first.
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rebaneREH-bah-neh“fox” - jänes
A y and the a of cat.
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jänesYA-nes“rabbit” - öö
One sound, held: the ur of fur with rounded lips.
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ööurr“night” - päike
The a of cat gliding into an i, then a full final e.
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päikePAY-keh“sun” - õun
Flat lips, then a w-glide. One beat.
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õunuhwn“apple” - puu
A hard p, and the doubled u is held.
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puupooh“tree” - üks
Purse your lips on the first sound.
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üksewks“one”