suu

§ Basic use of 'suu'

The word 'suu' means 'mouth' in Estonian. It's a common noun, and you'll hear it a lot. Let's look at how it works in simple sentences.

DEFINITION

The opening through which one eats and speaks

Translation: He has a big mouth.

Translation: Open your mouth!

§ Cases and 'suu'

Estonian uses cases, which can be tricky for English speakers. 'Suu' can change its ending depending on its role in the sentence. Here are some common cases:

• Nominative: suu (the basic form, 'mouth')
• Genitive: suu (used for possession, 'of the mouth')
• Partitive: suud (used for indefinite objects, 'a mouth' or 'some mouth')
• Illative: suhu (meaning 'into the mouth')
• Inessive: suus (meaning 'in the mouth')
• Elative: suust (meaning 'from the mouth')
• Allative: suule (meaning 'onto the mouth' or 'to the mouth')
• Adessive: suul (meaning 'on the mouth' or 'at the mouth')
• Ablative: suult (meaning 'off the mouth' or 'from the mouth')

§ Examples with different cases

Let's see 'suu' in action with various cases.

Translation: His mouth is closed. (Nominative)

Translation: Put the food into your mouth. (Illative - suhu means 'into the mouth')

Translation: He has something in his mouth. (Inessive - suus means 'in the mouth')

Translation: Take it out of your mouth. (Elative - suust means 'from the mouth')

Translation: Give me a kiss. (Literally: Give me mouth - suud is partitive, used idiomatically for a kiss).

§ Common phrases with 'suu'

Here are some useful phrases where 'suu' is used:

• Suu lahti! - Open your mouth! (Command)
• Suu kinni! - Shut your mouth! (Command, can be rude depending on tone)
• Vesi jookseb mul suu vett. - My mouth is watering. (Literally: Water runs my mouth water.)
• See on otse suust suhu. - This is direct word-of-mouth. (Literally: It is directly from mouth to mouth.)

Translation: Don't keep your mouth shut.

Translation: The children are opening their mouths.

Learning how to use 'suu' with different cases and in common phrases will significantly improve your Estonian. Keep practicing, and you'll get the hang of it!

§ Don't confuse it with "suur"

This is a classic. Many beginners mix up suu (mouth) and suur (big). They sound similar, especially if you're not used to Estonian vowel lengths. Remember, suu has a long 'u' sound, like 'soo' in English but with rounded lips. Suur has a long 'uu' sound, like 'soor' with a rolled 'r'.

Hint

He has a big dog.

Hint

His mouth is open.

§ Using "suu" incorrectly in expressions

"Suu" is part of many common Estonian expressions. Don't just translate word-for-word from English, because it often won't make sense. Here are a couple of examples:

• Suud maigutama: This literally means 'to flap one's mouth', but it's used to describe someone talking a lot or gossiping, often in a negative way. You wouldn't use it to simply say 'to talk'.

Hint

He just gossips / talks a lot (negatively).

• Suu kinni: This means 'shut up' or 'mouth shut'. It's quite direct. You wouldn't typically use it in polite conversation to ask someone to be quiet, unless you're trying to be very firm or informal.

Hint

Shut your mouth! / Be quiet!

§ Forgetting the cases

Like all Estonian nouns, "suu" changes its ending depending on its role in the sentence. This is called 'declension' or 'cases'. If you just use "suu" everywhere, your sentences won't be grammatically correct.

For example:

• Nominative (base form): Suu (the mouth)
• Genitive (of the mouth): Suu
• Partitive (a mouth, some mouth): Suu
• Illative (into the mouth): Suu sisse or suhu
• Inessive (in the mouth): Suus
• Elative (out of the mouth): Suust

Notice how the word itself changes. For instance, if you want to say "into the mouth," you use "suhu" or "suu sisse", not just "suu".

Hint

Put the food into your mouth.

Hint

I have a pain in my mouth.

§ What "suu" means

Definition

The opening through which one eats and speaks; a mouth. It can also refer to the opening of something, like a cave or a bag.

The word 'suu' is straightforward. It primarily means 'mouth' in the anatomical sense, but you'll also hear it for the opening of objects. Think of it as the general term for an opening, especially when it's related to consumption or entry/exit.

§ Basic uses of "suu"

Here are some common ways 'suu' is used in everyday Estonian:

• To talk about eating:

Translation hint: Put the food in your mouth.

• To talk about speaking:

Translation hint: He/She opened his/her mouth and started to speak.

• To describe the opening of an object:

Translation hint: The mouth/opening of the bag is open.

§ When to use "suu" vs. alternatives

While 'suu' is the primary word for 'mouth', it's good to know when it fits best compared to other words that might seem similar, or when 'suu' takes on a slightly different meaning. There aren't many direct synonyms for 'mouth' in Estonian that you'd use in everyday conversation. However, the context can subtly shift the meaning of 'suu' or make other words more appropriate for describing openings in general.

• **For the anatomical mouth:** Always use 'suu'. There's no other common word for the part of your face you eat and speak with.

Translation hint: He/She had a smile on his/her mouth.

• **For the opening of a container or space:** 'Suu' is very common and natural here.

Translation hint: The mouth/opening of the bottle is narrow.

Sometimes, you might hear other words for openings, but they usually refer to something more specific:

• **Auk (hole):** This is a general term for a hole or an opening, often implying something created by digging or piercing. While a mouth is an opening, you wouldn't call a human mouth an 'auk'. However, the mouth of a cave might sometimes be referred to as an 'auk' if it's considered a mere hole.

Translation hint: There was a big hole in the wall.

• **Ava (opening, aperture):** This is a more formal or technical term for an opening. You'd use it in contexts like an 'ukseava' (doorway) or 'aknaava' (window opening). While 'suu' can refer to an opening, 'ava' is more about the space itself, not necessarily the edge or rim.

Translation hint: Light shone through the door opening.

**Key takeaway for 'suu':** Stick with 'suu' when talking about the anatomical mouth or the opening/rim of a container or space that implies an entry/exit point, especially for things that consume or hold something. It's the most natural and common choice in these situations.