When you're first learning Estonian, it's good to know the basic seasons. Kevad refers to the season of spring. This is when the weather starts to get warmer and nature begins to wake up after the winter.
You'll often hear Estonians talk about kevad in relation to the melting snow or the first flowers appearing. It's a key word for describing the changing year.
Wusstest du?
The word 'kevad' is related to Finnish 'kevät' and other Finnic languages, highlighting a shared linguistic heritage in describing the seasons.
Aussprachehilfe
- Mispronouncing the 'e' as in 'bed' instead of 'eh' as in 'pet'.
- Failing to pronounce the double 'v' sound distinctly, which is similar to the 'v' in 'have' but held slightly longer.
Beispiele nach Niveau
Kevad on minu lemmikaastaaeg.
Spring is my favorite season.
Aastaaeg - season (nominative case). Minu - my (genitive case).
Kevadel hakkavad linnud laulma.
In spring, birds start to sing.
Kevadel - in spring (adessive case). Linnud - birds (nominative plural).
Ootan kevadet väga.
I am really looking forward to spring.
Kevadet - spring (partitive case, as 'ootama' (to wait/look forward to) often takes the partitive).
Eelmisel kevadel reisisime palju.
Last spring, we traveled a lot.
Kevadel - in spring (adessive case).
Kevad toob värskust ja uut elu.
Spring brings freshness and new life.
Kevad - spring (nominative case).
Mulle meeldib kevadine ilm.
I like spring weather.
Kevadine - spring-like (adjective).
Kevad on suurepärane aeg matkamiseks.
Spring is a great time for hiking.
Kevad - spring (nominative case). Matkamiseks - for hiking (allative case, describing purpose).
Kas sul on kevadplaanid?
Do you have spring plans?
Kevadplaanid - spring plans (compound noun, nominative plural).
Kevad toob alati endaga kaasa lootuse ja uued algused, justkui elu ise ärkaks talveunest.
Spring always brings hope and new beginnings with it, as if life itself awakens from winter sleep.
Here, 'kevad' is in the nominative case as the subject of the sentence. 'Talveunest' uses the elative case to indicate movement out of something.
Pika ja pimeda talve järel on kevadine päikesepaiste ja soojus eriti teretulnud, andes energiat ja elujõudu.
After a long and dark winter, spring sunshine and warmth are especially welcome, giving energy and vitality.
'Kevadine' is an adjective derived from 'kevad', meaning 'spring-like' or 'of spring'. 'Talve järel' means 'after winter'.
Kuigi kevad on kaunis, toob see allergiatele kalduvatele inimestele kaasa ka õietolmu ja nina sügelemise.
Although spring is beautiful, it also brings pollen and itchy noses for people prone to allergies.
'Kevad on kaunis' uses 'on' (is) as a copula. 'Allergiatele kalduvatele inimestele' uses the allative case for 'inimestele' (to people).
Eesti kevad on tuntud oma ettearvamatu ilma poolest – ühel päeval paistab päike, teisel sajab lörtsi.
Estonian spring is known for its unpredictable weather – one day the sun shines, the next it snows sleet.
'Eesti kevad' shows possession. 'Oma ettearvamatu ilma poolest' uses the partitive case for 'ilma' (weather) after 'poolest' (by means of).
Linnud tulevad kevadel tagasi pesitsema ja nende laul täidab metsad ning aiad rõõmsate helidega.
Birds return in spring to nest, and their song fills the forests and gardens with joyful sounds.
'Kevadel' is in the adessive case, indicating 'on spring' or 'in spring'. 'Pesitsema' is the supine form, indicating purpose.
Kevade saabudes tunnevad paljud inimesed uut eluisu ja motivatsiooni alustada uute projektidega.
Upon the arrival of spring, many people feel a new zest for life and motivation to start new projects.
'Kevade saabudes' uses the genitive form of 'kevad' with the inessive plural participle, meaning 'upon spring's arrival'.
Aiamaadel algab kevadeti vilgas tööperiood, kus külvatakse seemneid ja istutatakse taimi.
In gardens, a busy work period begins in spring, where seeds are sown and plants are planted.
'Kevadeti' is an adverb meaning 'every spring' or 'in springtime'. 'Külvatakse' is in the impersonal passive voice.
Kuigi lume sulamine toob endaga kaasa ka pori ja märjad teed, on kevad siiski oodatud aastaaeg.
Although the melting snow also brings mud and wet roads, spring is still an awaited season.
'Lume sulamine' uses the genitive 'lume' to indicate what is melting. 'Oodatud aastaaeg' uses the past participle as an adjective.
Wird oft verwechselt mit
This is an adjective meaning 'spring-like' or 'of spring,' not the noun 'spring' itself.
This is the inessive case of 'kevad,' meaning 'in spring.' It's a grammatical form, not the base noun.
While spring is associated with new beginnings, 'uus algus' is a general phrase meaning 'new beginning,' not the season itself.
Leicht verwechselbar
Many English speakers might confuse 'kevad' with words that sound similar or have related meanings in other languages, or simply find it difficult to remember due to its unique sound.
'Kevad' specifically refers to the season of spring. It's not a general term for 'new beginnings' or 'growth,' though those are associated with spring.
Ma armastan kevadet, kui lilled hakkavad õitsema. (I love spring, when the flowers start to bloom.)
Similar to 'kevad,' 'suvi' might be difficult to remember for English speakers as it doesn't have an obvious cognate.
'Suvi' means 'summer,' a distinct season from spring. It's important not to mix up the seasons.
Eestis on suved lühikesed, aga ilusad. (Summers in Estonia are short, but beautiful.)
The 'ü' sound can be tricky for English speakers, and the word 'sügis' doesn't resemble 'autumn' or 'fall.'
'Sügis' means 'autumn' or 'fall.' It's the season after summer.
Mulle meeldib sügislehtede värv. (I like the color of autumn leaves.)
The 'v' at the end of 'talv' might be unusual for some English speakers, and it doesn't sound like 'winter.'
'Talv' means 'winter,' the coldest season of the year.
Eesti talved on tihti lumised. (Estonian winters are often snowy.)
This is a compound word ('aasta' for year, 'aeg' for time) that might be confusing to interpret directly, and learners might try to use it as a specific season.
'Aastaaeg' means 'season' in general, not a specific season like spring or summer. It's the overarching term.
Milline on sinu lemmik aastaaeg? (What is your favorite season?)
Wortherkunft
Proto-Finnic *kevät
Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: spring
UralicKultureller Kontext
<p>Estonians eagerly await 'kevad' after the long, dark winter. It's a time of rejuvenation, when nature awakens and people spend more time outdoors. Many traditional Estonian songs and poems celebrate the arrival of spring.</p>
Teste dich selbst 48 Fragen
Which of these words means 'spring'?
'Kevad' is the Estonian word for spring. 'Suvi' is summer, 'sügis' is autumn, and 'talv' is winter.
When do flowers usually start to bloom?
Flowers typically bloom in the spring ('kevadel').
Which season comes after winter?
After winter ('talv') comes spring ('kevad').
Kevad is a cold season.
Kevad (spring) is generally a mild season, not a cold one like talv (winter).
The word 'kevad' means autumn.
'Kevad' means spring. The word for autumn is 'sügis'.
Estonian nature wakes up in kevad.
Yes, in kevad (spring), nature typically starts to come alive after winter.
The weather in spring is usually beautiful.
I love spring because the birds sing.
Spring is the best time for working in the garden.
Read this aloud:
Kevad on minu lemmikaastaaeg.
Focus: Kevad
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Read this aloud:
Kas sulle meeldib kevad?
Focus: meeldib
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Read this aloud:
Ma ootan kevadet väga.
Focus: ootan
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This sentence describes a common characteristic of spring.
This sentence expresses anticipation for spring.
This sentence describes birds singing in spring.
Listen for the season that brings new beginnings.
Listen for the time of day and season when birds sing.
Listen for the question about anticipation of a season.
Read this aloud:
Kevadel ärkab loodus ellu.
Focus: ärkab
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Read this aloud:
Minu lemmikaastaaeg on kevad.
Focus: lemmikaastaaeg
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Read this aloud:
Kevadised lilled on ilusad.
Focus: lilled
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Pärast pikka ja pimedat talve igatseme kõik ___ päikest ja rohelust.
Here, 'kevade' is in the genitive case, meaning 'of spring' or 'spring's'. The sentence implies a desire for the spring sun and greenery.
Eesti loodus tärkab uuesti ellu igal ___, pakkudes silmailu ja värskust.
'Kevadel' is the inessive case (meaning 'in spring' or 'during spring'), indicating when nature awakens.
Ootan juba pikisilmi, millal saabub soojem ilm ja linnud hakkavad laulma, see tähendab, millal tuleb ___.
In this context, 'kevad' is used as the direct object of 'tuleb' (comes), referring to the season itself.
Esimesed sinililled on juba väljas, mis annab märku, et ___ on peaaegu käes.
Here, 'kevad' is in the nominative case, acting as the subject of the sentence, indicating that spring is almost here.
Plaanime perega piknikut metsas, kui ainult ilm püsiks ilus ja ___ oleks päikeseline.
'Kevadine' is an adjective derived from 'kevad', meaning 'spring-like' or 'of spring', describing the weather.
Parim aeg Eesti külastamiseks on just ___, kui loodus on kõige kaunim ja värskem.
'Kevadel' is the inessive case, indicating 'in spring' as the best time to visit.
This sentence describes nature waking up in spring. 'Kevadel' (In spring) sets the time, 'ärkab' (wakes up) is the verb, and 'loodus' (nature) is the subject.
The sentence indicates that many birds return in spring. 'Paljud linnud' (Many birds) is the subject, 'naasevad' (return) is the verb, 'kevadel' (in spring) specifies the time, and 'tagasi' (back) emphasizes the return.
This sentence describes two concurrent changes in spring: days getting longer and the air getting warmer. 'Päevad pikenevad' (Days lengthen) and 'õhk läheb soojemaks' (the air gets warmer) are connected by 'ja' (and).
Describe a personal experience or observation related to the arrival of 'kevad' in Estonia, focusing on how the changing season impacts daily life or nature. Use at least five sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Kevade saabudes Eestisse muutub kõik. Puud lähevad lehte ja linnud hakkavad laulma. Päike paistab soojemalt ja õhk on värskem. Inimeste meeleolu paraneb märgatavalt ning hakatakse rohkem väljas aega veetma. Lõpuks saabub ka aeg istutada aeda esimesi seemneid.
Imagine you are explaining the cultural significance of 'kevad' to someone who has never experienced it. What traditions, feelings, or activities are associated with it in Estonia? Write a paragraph.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Eestis on kevad palju enamat kui lihtsalt aastaaeg; see on uuenemise ja lootuse sümbol. Inimesed tähistavad kevade saabumist mitmete traditsioonidega, näiteks lihavõtted, mis toovad kokku perekonnad. Aiandus ja külvamine on olulised tegevused, valmistudes eelseisvaks suveks. Loodus ärkab ellu, pakkudes imelisi vaatepilte ja tekitades rõõmsat meeleolu. See on aeg, mil värvid naasevad maastikule ja pikad talveööd annavad teed valgusele.
Write a short reflective piece about how 'kevad' in Estonia differs from or is similar to spring in another country you know, considering climate, typical flora, and human activities. Aim for 4-6 sentences.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Eesti kevad on sageli üsna ettearvamatu, pakkudes nii päikesepaistet kui ka ootamatut lund. Võrreldes näiteks Lõuna-Euroopa kevade soojusega, on siinne kevad jahedam ja aeglasemalt arenev. Taimestik hakkab vaikselt tärkama, kusjuures kaskede hiirekõrvad on üks esimesi märke. Inimesed hakkavad siiski energilisemalt väljas toimetama, koristama aedu ja ette valmistama suviseks hooajaks, mis on sarnane paljude riikidega. Erinevus seisneb ehk ootuses, et tõeline soojus võtab veel aega.
Mida toovad kevade esimesed märgid Eestis esile?
Read this passage:
Kevade esimesed märgid Eestis on alati oodatud. Lume sulamine toob esile rohelise muru, ja kuigi öökülmad võivad veel püsida, on õhus tunda värskust. Linnud naasevad kaugelt maalt ja nende laul täidab metsad ning aiad. See on aeg, mil loodus justkui ärkab pika talveunest, pakkudes inimestele uut energiat ja lootust.
Mida toovad kevade esimesed märgid Eestis esile?
Lõigus mainitakse, et lume sulamine toob esile rohelise muru, õhus on tunda värskust ja linnud naasevad. Need kõik on kevade esimesed märgid.
Lõigus mainitakse, et lume sulamine toob esile rohelise muru, õhus on tunda värskust ja linnud naasevad. Need kõik on kevade esimesed märgid.
Milliseid traditsioone mainitakse seoses Eesti kevadega?
Read this passage:
Eesti kevad on täis traditsioone, mis ulatuvad sügavale ajaloosse. Näiteks tähistatakse paljudes peredes lihavõtteid, värvides mune ja nautides koosviibimist. Ka maausulised peavad oluliseks kevadisi pööripäevi, mil tehakse rituaale maa viljakuse ja uue kasvu soosimiseks. Need tavad aitavad inimestel ühendust luua loodusega ja tunnustada elu tsüklit.
Milliseid traditsioone mainitakse seoses Eesti kevadega?
Lõigus öeldakse selgelt, et tähistatakse lihavõtteid ja maausulised peavad oluliseks kevadisi pööripäevi.
Lõigus öeldakse selgelt, et tähistatakse lihavõtteid ja maausulised peavad oluliseks kevadisi pööripäevi.
Miks peavad aednikud ja põllumehed Eesti kevade alguses ettevaatlikud olema?
Read this passage:
Kuigi kevad on üldiselt oodatud, võib Eesti ilm kevade alguses olla petlik. Päevad võivad olla päikeselised ja suhteliselt soojad, kuid öösel võib temperatuur langeda alla nulli, tuues kaasa öökülmad. See ettearvamatus nõuab aednikelt ja põllumeestelt ettevaatust, sest varajased istutused võivad külma tõttu kahjustada saada. Kogenud eestlased teavad, et ei tohi enne 'kartulipaneku aega' liiga optimistlikuks minna.
Miks peavad aednikud ja põllumehed Eesti kevade alguses ettevaatlikud olema?
Lõigus on mainitud, et öökülmad võivad varajasi istutusi kahjustada, seega on ettevaatus vajalik.
Lõigus on mainitud, et öökülmad võivad varajasi istutusi kahjustada, seega on ettevaatus vajalik.
The sentence is about what spring brings.
Listen for the characteristics of Estonian spring.
The question is about the vernal equinox's influence.
Read this aloud:
Arutlege kevade mõju üle inimeste meeleolule ja igapäevaelule.
Focus: R-sounds, vowel lengths
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Read this aloud:
Kirjeldage detailsemalt, milliseid muutusi kevad teie ümbruses esile toob.
Focus: Emphasis on adjectives and descriptive verbs
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Read this aloud:
Võrrelge Eesti kevadet teiste riikide kevadega, tuues välja sarnasusi ja erinevusi.
Focus: Clear pronunciation of comparative structures
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/ 48 correct
Perfect score!
