How to Say Hello in Estonian
Estonian greetings are refreshingly simple. Unlike some languages where you need to figure out formality levels before opening your mouth, Estonian has one universal greeting that works everywhere.
Tere (TEH-reh) — Hello. The universal greeting. Works with your boss, your neighbor, your doctor, the cashier at Selver. Use this and you're safe.
Tsau (TSOW) — Hi / Bye. Informal, borrowed from Italian "ciao." Use with friends, classmates, people your age. Also works as goodbye.
Hei (HEY) — Hey. Casual, similar to English. Common among younger Estonians and in relaxed settings.
Good Morning, Good Day, Good Evening in Estonian
Estonians do have time-specific greetings, though honestly most people just say "Tere" regardless of the hour. But if you want to sound polished:
Tere hommikust (TEH-reh HOM-mee-koost) — Good morning. Literally "hello from the morning." Use before noon.
Tere päevast (TEH-reh PAE-vast) — Good day / Good afternoon. The formal daytime greeting, common in shops and offices.
Tere õhtust (TEH-reh UH-toost) — Good evening. Use after about 6 PM. The "õ" is the tricky Estonian vowel — like saying "uh" with rounded lips.
Head ööd (HEAD UUD) — Good night. Only when someone is going to sleep. Not a greeting — a farewell.
How to Say Goodbye in Estonian
Leaving a conversation in Estonian is as straightforward as starting one:
Head aega (HEAD AE-ga) — Goodbye. Literally "good time." The standard, polite farewell that works everywhere.
Nägemist (NAE-geh-mist) — See you. Slightly formal but friendly. Short for "nägemiseni" (until seeing again).
Nägemiseni (NAE-geh-mee-seh-nee) — Until we meet again. The full formal version. You'll hear it in shops and official settings.
Tsau (TSOW) — Bye. Same word as hello. Context makes it clear.
Kohtumiseni (KOH-too-mee-seh-nee) — Until next time. Used when you know you'll see the person again soon.
Polite Phrases & Thank You in Estonian
Estonians value politeness but express it differently than, say, the British. Less "sorry" and "please" in every sentence, more directness with respect. But these basics go a long way:
Aitäh (AY-taeh) — Thank you. The everyday thanks. You'll say this a hundred times a day.
Tänan (TAE-nan) — I thank you. Slightly more formal. Common in emails and business contexts.
Palun (PA-lun) — Please / You're welcome. Does double duty. "Palun" after someone says "aitäh" means "you're welcome." Before a request, it means "please."
Vabandust (VA-ban-doost) — Excuse me / Sorry. Use when bumping into someone, getting attention, or apologizing for small things.
Vabandage (VA-ban-da-geh) — Excuse me (formal). The polite version for addressing strangers or older people.
Common Responses — How Are You in Estonian
The classic "how are you" exchange exists in Estonian, but don't expect the American-style "I'm great!" Estonians are honest. If they say "normaalne" — that's actually good.
Kuidas läheb? (KUI-das LAE-heb) — How's it going? The standard "how are you." Casual but works in most situations.
Kuidas käsi käib? (KUI-das KAE-si KAIB) — How are things? Literally "how does the hand walk." More informal and friendly.
Hästi, aitäh (HAES-ti AY-taeh) — Good, thanks. The safe, positive answer.
Normaalne (nor-MAAL-neh) — Normal / Fine. The classic Estonian response. Not enthusiastic, not negative. Just... Estonian.
Jah (YAH) / Ei (AY) — Yes / No. Short and to the point, just like Estonians prefer it.
Estonian Pronunciation Tips for Beginners
Estonian pronunciation is actually more consistent than English — once you know the rules, you can read almost anything. Here are the key things to know for greetings:
Stress is always on the first syllable. "TEH-reh," not "teh-REH." This is true for almost every Estonian word.
The letter "õ" sounds like a deep "uh." Push your tongue back and say "uh" — that's close to "õ" in "tere õhtust."
Double letters matter. "Head ööd" has a long "ö" (like "oo" in German "schön" but held longer). Short vs. long vowels change meaning.
"Ä" is like the "a" in "cat." So "aitäh" sounds like "AY-taeh" — the second syllable rhymes with English "yeah" but shorter.
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FAQ
How do you say hello in Estonian?
The most common greeting is "Tere" (TEH-reh), which works in any situation — formal or informal. Among friends, you can say "Tsau" (TSOW) or "Hei" (HEY).
How do you say good morning in Estonian?
"Tere hommikust" (TEH-reh HOM-mee-koost) means good morning. You can also just say "Tere" at any time of day — most Estonians do.
How do you say goodbye in Estonian?
"Head aega" (HEAD AE-ga) is the standard goodbye. Informally, you can say "Nägemist" (NAE-geh-mist) or just "Tsau" (TSOW), which doubles as both hello and bye.
How do you say thank you in Estonian?
"Aitäh" (AY-taeh) is thank you. For a more formal version, use "Tänan" (TAE-nan) or "Tänan väga" (TAE-nan VAE-ga) for thank you very much.
What does "Tsau" mean in Estonian?
"Tsau" (TSOW) is the informal Estonian equivalent of "ciao" — it works as both hello and goodbye among friends and peers. Don't use it with your boss.