Cheat sheet
The cases and the numbers, on one page
Estonian has 14 cases. Learn the three base forms and the other eleven come off the omastav stem, one ending each.
Print it and keep it beside you while you write — Ctrl+P.
The three base forms
Learn every new word in all three forms at once. The omastav is the stem every ending below is added to.
| nimetavthe dictionary form | omastavthe stem for the rest | osastavno rule predicts it | Stem |
|---|---|---|---|
| raamat | raamatu | raamatut | does not change |
| tuba | toa | tuba | changes (astmevaheldus) |
| jalg | jala | jalga | changes (astmevaheldus) |
| linn | linna | linna | changes (astmevaheldus) |
Eleven cases from the omastav stem
The stem is raamatu-. Every row is that stem plus one ending; there is no further rule.
| Case | Ending | Question | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| sisseütlev | -sse | kuhu? | raamatusse |
| seesütlev | -s | kus? | raamatus |
| seestütlev | -st | kust? | raamatust |
| alaleütlev | -le | kellele? | raamatule |
| alalütlev | -l | kellel? | raamatul |
| alaltütlev | -lt | kellelt? | raamatult |
| saav | -ks | kelleks? | raamatuks |
| rajav | -ni | milleni? | raamatuni |
| olev | -na | kellena? | raamatuna |
| ilmaütlev | -ta | kelleta? | raamatuta |
| kaasaütlev | -ga | kellega? | raamatuga |
The exam's numbers
- A2written part up to 110 minoral 15 min
- B1written part up to 120 minoral 20 min
- B2written part up to 185 minoral 20 min
- C1written part up to 195 minoral 20 min
To pass you need at least 60% of the total and no part scored 0.