Interrogative pronouns are a fundamental part of any language, allowing speakers to ask questions and gather information. In English, words like “who,” “what,” “where,” “when,” “why,” and “how” serve this purpose. Today, we’ll focus on the Estonian interrogative pronoun “kes,” which translates to “who” in English. Understanding how to use “kes” effectively can significantly enhance your ability to communicate in Estonian, whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner.
Understanding “kes” in Context
In Estonian, “kes” is used to inquire about people. It is the equivalent of the English word “who.” Just as in English, it can be used in various contexts to ask about someone’s identity, occupation, or actions.
Examples:
1. Kes ta on? – Who is he/she?
2. Kes see on? – Who is this?
3. Kes seal on? – Who is there?
Notice that “kes” remains unchanged regardless of the subject’s number or gender, making it simpler in some respects compared to other languages that may require gender or number agreement.
Using “kes” in Different Tenses
Just like in English, questions involving “kes” can be asked in different tenses to get information about various time frames.
Present Tense:
– Kes ta on? – Who is he/she?
– Kes nad on? – Who are they?
Past Tense:
– Kes ta oli? – Who was he/she?
– Kes nad olid? – Who were they?
Future Tense:
– Kes ta saab olema? – Who will he/she be?
– Kes nad saavad olema? – Who will they be?
In these examples, the verb changes to match the tense, but “kes” remains unchanged, making it a straightforward pronoun to use.
Forming Complex Questions with “kes”
Beyond simple questions, “kes” can be combined with other words to form more complex questions. This is useful for getting more detailed information.
Examples:
1. Kes see inimene on, kellega sa rääkisid? – Who is the person you were talking to?
2. Kes on see naine, kes siin töötab? – Who is the woman who works here?
3. Kes olid need inimesed, kes sind aitasid? – Who were the people who helped you?
In these examples, “kes” is used to introduce relative clauses, providing more specific information about the subject in question.
Different Forms of “kes”
While “kes” itself does not change, the structure of the sentence can change depending on the case being used. Estonian is a language with 14 grammatical cases, and while “kes” remains the same in the nominative case, other cases can be employed to ask more nuanced questions.
Genitive Case:
– Kelle raamat see on? – Whose book is this?
– Kelle maja see on? – Whose house is this?
Partitive Case:
– Keda sa nägid? – Who did you see?
– Keda sa ootasid? – Who were you waiting for?
Illative Case:
– Kellesse sa armusid? – Who did you fall in love with?
– Kellesse sa usud? – Who do you believe in?
By understanding and using these different forms, you can ask more specific questions and improve your overall proficiency in Estonian.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Even though “kes” is relatively straightforward, there are some common mistakes learners make.
1. **Confusing “kes” with other interrogative pronouns:**
– Remember that “kes” is specifically used for asking about people. For things or objects, you would use “mis” (what).
2. **Incorrect verb conjugation:**
– Ensure that the verb in your question matches the subject in number and tense.
– Incorrect: Kes sa on? (Who you is?)
– Correct: Kes sa oled? (Who are you?)
3. **Using the wrong case:**
– Pay attention to the case required by the verb or preposition in your sentence.
– Incorrect: Kelle sa nägid? (Whose did you see?)
– Correct: Keda sa nägid? (Who did you see?)
Practice Exercises
To solidify your understanding of “kes,” try these practice exercises. Translate the following English questions into Estonian using “kes.”
1. Who is your friend?
2. Who did you talk to yesterday?
3. Whose car is parked outside?
4. Who are those people?
5. Who will come to the party?
Answers:
1. Kes on sinu sõber?
2. Kellega sa eile rääkisid?
3. Kelle auto on väljas pargitud?
4. Kes on need inimesed?
5. Kes tuleb peole?
Using “kes” in Dialogue
One of the best ways to become comfortable with “kes” is by seeing how it is used in everyday conversation. Here’s an example dialogue:
Anna: Kes see mees on?
Marko: Ta on minu vend, Jaan.
Anna: Kes see naine tema kõrval on?
Marko: See on tema sõbranna, Mari.
Anna: Kellega te eile kohtusite?
Marko: Me kohtusime meie vana õpetajaga.
This dialogue provides practical examples of “kes” in use, helping you understand how it fits naturally into conversation.
Conclusion
The interrogative pronoun “kes” is an essential component of the Estonian language, used to ask questions about people. By understanding its use in different tenses, forms, and contexts, you can ask more precise questions and improve your conversational skills. Avoid common mistakes by paying attention to verb conjugation and the required grammatical case. Practice with exercises and real-life dialogues to become more confident in your usage of “kes.”
As you continue your journey in learning Estonian, remember that mastering interrogative pronouns like “kes” will greatly enhance your ability to communicate effectively. Happy learning!
