Mastering the words for the seasons and months in Estonian is a great way to expand your vocabulary and make everyday conversations smoother. Whether you’re learning for travel, culture, or curiosity, this topic is easy to grasp and very useful from the very beginning.
In Estonian, time is marked by four seasons and twelve months — just like in English. However, the vocabulary may sound quite different, so paying attention to pronunciation and patterns will go a long way. Let’s take a closer look.
Seasons of the Year in Estonian
Talking about the weather or time of year often involves the seasons. In Estonian, each season has its own unique word, some of which might feel unfamiliar at first, but they’re quite memorable once you start using them in context.
Check the table below for the Estonian names of the four seasons along with their English equivalents and pronunciation help.
| English | Estonian with pronunciation volume_down |
|---|---|
| winter | talv |
| spring | kevad |
| summer | suvi |
| autumn | sügis |
Months of the Year in Estonian
Now let’s move on to the months. As in most languages, there are twelve months in Estonian, and they are widely used in daily life—from appointments and weather reports to holidays and birthdays. Some month names in Estonian have a poetic or descriptive origin, reflecting the nature of the Estonian calendar and culture.
Refer to the table below to learn the Estonian names of all twelve months with pronunciation. Practice these regularly to become more confident in reading and listening.
| English | Estonian with pronunciation volume_down |
|---|---|
| January | jaanuar |
| February | veebruar |
| March | märts |
| April | aprill |
| May | mai |
| June | juuni |
| July | juuli |
| August | august |
| September | september |
| October | oktoober |
| November | november |
| December | detsember |
How to Learn Time Vocabulary Effectively
Here are some useful tips to help you remember Estonian months and seasons faster:
- Use visuals: Print out a calendar and label each month in Estonian.
- Make associations: Link each month with a personal event or seasonal change.
- Practice with phrases: Try expressions like “juulis on soe” (It is warm in July) or “sügisel sajab sageli” (It often rains in autumn).
Continue Learning Estonian
Now that you’ve covered the seasons and months, keep building your vocabulary step by step. These related lessons will help you speak about time even more naturally: