Estonian greetings are straightforward, but there’s more to them than just 'Tere'. Whether you’re visiting Tallinn or just want to impress an Estonian friend, here’s how to nail the basics.
The Basics: Hello, Goodbye, and Everything In Between
Tere
/ˈtere/“Hello”
Tere hommikust
/ˈtere ˈhomːikust/“Good morning”
Tere päevast
/ˈtere ˈpæevɑst/“Good afternoon”
Tere õhtust
/ˈtere ˈɤhtust/“Good evening”
Head aega
/ˈheɑd ˈɑegɑ/“Goodbye”
Casual and Informal Greetings
If you’re with friends or want to sound less formal, try these:
- Tere-tere – A playful, slightly cheeky way to say hello. Works best with people you know well.
- Tšau – Borrowed from Finnish, this is the Estonian equivalent of 'ciao'. Casual and friendly.
- Nägemist – Literally 'see you', but used like 'bye'. Slightly more formal than 'Head aega'.
Greetings for Special Occasions
Häid jõule
/ˈhæid ˈjøule/“Merry Christmas”
Head uut aastat
/ˈheɑd ˈuːt ˈɑːstɑt/“Happy New Year”
Palju õnne
/ˈpɑlju ˈɤnːe/“Congratulations”
How to Respond to Greetings
Estonians usually just repeat the greeting back. If someone says 'Tere', you say 'Tere'. Easy, right? For more specific replies:
- Kuidas läheb? – 'How’s it going?' The standard response is 'Hästi' (fine) or 'Normaalselt' (normally).
- Mis toimub? – 'What’s up?' Casual, best for friends. A shrug and 'Ei midagi' (nothing much) works.
Practice Makes Perfect
The best way to learn? Use them. Try greeting your Estonian colleague, or practice with a language partner. If you’re looking for more Estonian basics, check out our guide on 50 Foundational Estonian Vocabulary Words for Beginners.
And if you’re planning a trip, don’t miss our Estonian for Travelers: Essential Phrases for Your Baltic Adventure.
