Writing a postcard in Estonian isn’t just about slapping a stamp on it and hoping for the best. It’s a chance to flex your language skills, impress the recipient, and avoid looking like a tourist who just learned 'tere' five minutes ago. Here’s how to do it properly.
The Basics: Structure of an Estonian Postcard
Estonian postcards follow the same general structure as in English, but with a few linguistic quirks. Here’s the breakdown:
- Opening Greeting: Start with Kallis [Name], (Dear [Name],). For friends, Tere, [Name]! works too.
- Body: Keep it short. Estonians aren’t big on flowery prose. Something like Olen Eestis! Siin on ilus. (I’m in Estonia! It’s beautiful here.) works perfectly.
- Closing: Parimate soovidega, [Your Name] (Best wishes, [Your Name]) is standard. For closer relationships, Kallid tervitused, [Your Name] (Warm greetings) is also fine.
Essential Vocabulary for Postcards
Kallis
/ˈkɑlːis/“Dear”
Olen
/ˈolemɑ/“I am”
Siin
/ˈsiːn/“Here”
Parimate soovidega
/ˈpɑrimɑte ˈsoːvideɡɑ/“Best wishes”
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Estonian isn’t the easiest language, and postcards are a minefield for errors. Here’s what to watch out for:
- Overusing 'Tere': It’s a greeting, not a sign-off. Don’t end your postcard with it unless you want to confuse the recipient.
- Ignoring noun cases: Estonian has 14 noun cases. If you’re mentioning a place (e.g., 'Tallinnas' for 'in Tallinn'), make sure you’re using the correct form. Otherwise, you’ll sound like a drunk tourist.
- Being too verbose: Estonians value conciseness. A postcard isn’t the place for a novel. Three sentences max.
Example Postcard in Estonian
Translation: 'Dear Mari, I’m in Tallinn! The Old Town is beautiful here, and the weather is warm. Hope you’re doing well. Best wishes, Jaan.'
Where to Buy Postcards in Estonia
If you’re in Estonia and need a postcard, try:
- Tourist shops in Tallinn’s Old Town (especially around Raekoja plats).
- Bookshops like Rahva Raamat (they often have postcards with literary themes).
- Local post offices (Eesti Post).
Final Tips
1. Keep it simple: You’re not writing a thesis. Stick to basic sentences.
2. Double-check spellings: Estonian vowels (ä, ö, ü) can trip you up.
3. Don’t stress: Most Estonians will appreciate the effort, even if you mangle the grammar a bit.
For more Estonian language tips, check out our guides on everyday greetings or foundational vocabulary.
