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Reference

Politeness

It comes from the verb form and which "you" you pick, not from piling on "please".

All grammar

What it is for

  • Calling one stranger "you" in the plural, to be polite

    • Kas te soovite teed või kohvi?

      Would you like tea or coffee?

    • Kas te maksate sularahas või ülekandega?

      Will you be paying with cash or by bank transfer?

  • The "would" form, to make a request gentler

    • Ma tahaksin sinult midagi paluda.

      I would like to ask you for something.

    • Tahaksin vana külmiku tasuta ära anda.

      I would like to give away my old refrigerator for free.

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  • Being direct is less rude here than English speakers expect

    • Palun öelge, kus siin tualett on.

      Please tell me where the restroom is.

    • Saatke mulle takso.

      Please send me a taxi.

    • Watch out

    Estonian is more direct than English, and English-style softeners can sound insincere. The "would" form does what a pile of qualifiers does in English.

    Where the course teaches it

    7 units
    • Hello, goodbye, sorry and pleaseA1Greet someone, thank them, say sorry, and tell them you don't understand.
    • How sure you areA1Agree, disagree, and say how sure you are.
    • Asking for help, and calling for itA1Ask someone for help, say what's happened, and call the right number.
    • Asking, telling and offeringA2Tell someone what to do, ask for something politely, and offer to help.
    • Would, could, shouldB1Talk about what would happen, ask for things politely and give advice.
    • Working lifeB2Handle a job interview, a negotiation and a difficult conversation at work.
    • Formal, neutral, familiarC1Say the same thing three ways and pick the right one for the room.

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