When discussing fears and phobias in Estonian, the verb kartma is essential. Unlike English, where you 'are afraid of' something, in Estonian, you 'fear' something directly. This means that the object of your fear will be in the partitive case.
For instance, if you want to say 'I am afraid of dogs,' you would say 'Ma kardan koera,' where 'koera' is the partitive singular of 'koer' (dog). Similarly, 'She is afraid of heights' becomes 'Ta kardab kõrgust,' with 'kõrgust' being the partitive of 'kõrgus' (height).
When we talk about fear in Estonian, we often use the verb kartma. It's an A1 level verb, meaning it's one of the first you'll encounter. The structure is usually: [person] kardab [thing/person] (genitive case). For example, Ma kardan ämblikke means "I am afraid of spiders."
While kartma covers general fear, at a C2 level, you might want to differentiate more nuanced feelings. For example, to express being terrified, you could use phrases like hirmu tundma (to feel fear intensely) or paanikat tundma (to feel panic). Another C2 expression is judisema, which means to shiver from fear or disgust, indicating a physical manifestation of fright. You might also encounter idiomatic expressions such as külm higi jookseb üle selja (cold sweat runs down one's back), conveying extreme fear.
§ Direct Translation Trap
One of the most common mistakes English speakers make with 'kartma' is trying to translate directly from 'to be afraid *of* something'. In English, we use the preposition 'of'. In Estonian, 'kartma' takes the partitive case for the thing you are afraid of. This is a very important distinction to remember.
Ma kardan ämblikku.
- Hint
- I am afraid of the spider. (ämblik is in the partitive case)
A common incorrect sentence would be something like 'Ma kardan *ämblikust*' or 'Ma kardan *ämblikule*', trying to add a preposition like 'of' or 'to'. These are grammatically incorrect in this context.
§ Confusing 'kartma' with 'hirmul olema'
While both relate to fear, 'kartma' means 'to be afraid of something' as a verb describing an action or a state, whereas 'hirmul olema' means 'to be in a state of fear' or 'to be scared'. It's more about the feeling itself, rather than being afraid *of* a specific thing.
- Definition
- To be afraid of something
Ma kardan koeri.
- Hint
- I am afraid of dogs.
- Definition
- To be scared / in fear
Laps oli hirmul.
- Hint
- The child was scared.
You wouldn't typically say 'Laps kartis,' without specifying *what* the child was afraid of. If you say 'Laps kartis', it implies 'The child was afraid of something (unspecified)'.
§ Incorrect Verb Conjugation
Estonian verbs conjugate. Make sure you are using the correct form of 'kartma' for the subject. This might seem obvious, but it's a common area for mistakes when you're first learning.
- Minu ema kardab hiiri. (My mother is afraid of mice.)
- Meie kardame pimedust. (We are afraid of the dark.)
- Nad kartsid vihma. (They were afraid of the rain.)
§ Overuse of 'kartma'
While 'kartma' is useful, sometimes learners overuse it when other expressions might be more natural. For instance, if you want to say 'I'm scared', 'Mul on hirm' (literally 'I have fear') or 'Ma olen hirmul' are often more idiomatic than just 'Ma kardan' on its own without an object.
Mul on hirm!
- Hint
- I am scared! / I have fear!
'Kartma' implies a more active or direct fear towards something specific. If you are generally scared or in a state of fear, 'hirmul olema' or 'mul on hirm' are better choices.
Ejemplos por nivel
Ma kardan pimedat.
I am afraid of the dark.
Sa kardad ämblikke?
Are you afraid of spiders?
Ta kardab koeri.
He/She is afraid of dogs.
Me ei karda midagi.
We are not afraid of anything.
Te kardate kõrgust?
Are you (plural/formal) afraid of heights?
Nad kardavad vett.
They are afraid of water.
Miks sa kardad?
Why are you afraid?
Ma ei karda sind.
I am not afraid of you.
Cómo usarlo
Usage Notes for 'kartma'
The verb kartma means 'to be afraid of' or 'to fear'. It always takes the partitive case (osastav kääne) for the thing or person being feared. Think of it like saying 'to fear a part of something' in English, even though we don't say it that way.
- Kes/Mis? (Who/What?) -> Nominative
- Mida? (What? - partitive object) -> Partitive
For example, if you want to say 'I am afraid of dogs', 'dogs' (koerad) would need to be in the partitive case. The partitive form of 'koerad' is 'koeri'.
Common Phrases:
- Ma kardan - I am afraid / I fear
- Sa kardad - You are afraid / You fear
- Ta kardab - He/She is afraid / He/She fears
You can also use 'kartma' to express a general fear or anxiety about something that might happen.
Examples:
- Ma kardan koeri. (I am afraid of dogs.)
- Laps kardab pimedust. (The child is afraid of the dark.)
- Nad kartsid, et nad eksivad ära. (They were afraid that they would get lost.)
- Miks sa mind kardad? (Why are you afraid of me?)
Common Mistakes with 'kartma'
The most common mistake learners make is using the wrong case for the object of fear. Remember, 'kartma' always takes the partitive case!
- Incorrect: Ma kardan koer. (Using nominative 'koer')
- Correct: Ma kardan koeri. (Using partitive 'koeri')
Another mistake is confusing 'kartma' with 'pelgama' or 'hirmu tundma'. While similar, 'kartma' is the most common and versatile verb for expressing fear.
- Kartma: General fear, to be afraid of.
- Pelgama: To shy away from, to be wary of (often implies a milder, more cautious fear).
- Hirmu tundma: To feel fear (more literal, often used with a specific emotion).
Stick with kartma for most situations when you want to express being afraid of something.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
Expressing fear of animals
- Ma kardan koeri. (I am afraid of dogs.)
- Ta kardab ämblikke. (She is afraid of spiders.)
- Kas sa kardad madusid? (Are you afraid of snakes?)
Expressing fear of situations/events
- Ma kardan pimedust. (I am afraid of the dark.)
- Nad kardavad kõrgust. (They are afraid of heights.)
- Ma kardan eksida. (I am afraid of getting lost.)
Expressing general worry or apprehension
- Ma kardan, et ma hilinen. (I am afraid I will be late.)
- Ma kardan halbu uudiseid. (I am afraid of bad news.)
- Miks sa kardad? (Why are you afraid?)
Someone telling another person not to be afraid
- Ära karda! (Don't be afraid!)
- Pole midagi karta. (There's nothing to be afraid of.)
- Sa ei pea kartma. (You don't have to be afraid.)
Something that causes fear
- See film on hirmutav. (This movie is scary.)
- Hirmutav lugu. (A scary story.)
- Ta hirmutas mind. (He scared me.)
Inicios de conversación
"Mida sa kardad? (What are you afraid of?)"
"Kas sa oled kunagi midagi väga kartnud? (Have you ever been very afraid of something?)"
"Mis on sinu suurim hirm? (What is your biggest fear?)"
"Miks inimesed kardavad pimedust? (Why are people afraid of the dark?)"
"Kas sa arvad, et hirmu on hea tunda? (Do you think it's good to feel fear?)"
Temas para diario
Kirjuta olukorrast, kus sa tundsid hirmu. (Write about a situation where you felt fear.)
Mis on üks asi, mida sa varem kartsid, aga nüüd enam mitte? (What is one thing you used to be afraid of, but no longer are?)
Kuidas sa saad üle hirmust? (How do you overcome fear?)
Kirjelda oma hirmutunnet. (Describe your feeling of fear.)
Miks inimesed kardavad ebaõnnestumist? (Why are people afraid of failure?)
Ponte a prueba 18 preguntas
Write a sentence describing something you are not afraid of, using 'kartma'.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ma ei karda pimedust. (I am not afraid of the dark.)
Imagine you see a small, harmless spider. Write a sentence expressing that you are not afraid of it.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Ma ei karda seda väikest ämblikut. (I am not afraid of that small spider.)
Your friend is going skydiving. Write a sentence asking if they are afraid.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Kas sa kardad langevarjuhüpet? (Are you afraid of skydiving?)
What is Jüri afraid of?
Read this passage:
Jüri on väike poiss. Talle meeldib koertega mängida. Ta ei karda suuri koeri. Jüri karda ainult ämblikke.
What is Jüri afraid of?
The passage states 'Jüri karda ainult ämblikke,' meaning 'Jüri is only afraid of spiders.'
The passage states 'Jüri karda ainult ämblikke,' meaning 'Jüri is only afraid of spiders.'
Is Mari afraid of deep water?
Read this passage:
Mari armastab uusi asju proovida. Ta läheb esimest korda sukelduma. Tema sõber küsib: 'Kas sa ei karda sügavat vett?' Mari vastab: 'Ei, ma ei karda! See on põnev!'
Is Mari afraid of deep water?
Mari answers, 'Ei, ma ei karda!' which means 'No, I am not afraid!'
Mari answers, 'Ei, ma ei karda!' which means 'No, I am not afraid!'
Why is Peeter not afraid of lions?
Read this passage:
Peeter töötab loomaaias. Ta hoolitseb paljude loomade eest, isegi lõvide eest. Ta ei karda lõvisid, sest ta teab, kuidas nendega käituda.
Why is Peeter not afraid of lions?
The passage says 'Ta ei karda lõvisid, sest ta teab, kuidas nendega käituda' (He is not afraid of lions because he knows how to handle them).
The passage says 'Ta ei karda lõvisid, sest ta teab, kuidas nendega käituda' (He is not afraid of lions because he knows how to handle them).
Miks inimesed kipuvad tihtipeale öösel pimedust kartma?
Inimesed kardavad pimedust sageli just nägemisvõime puudumise ja haavatavuse tõttu.
Milline järgmistest väidetest kirjeldab kõige paremini olukorda, kus keegi kardab avalikult esineda?
Avaliku esinemise kartus on sageli seotud hirmuga teiste hinnangu ees.
Miks mõned inimesed kardavad kõrgust, isegi kui nad teavad, et on ohutult kinnitatud?
Kõrguse kartus, tuntud kui akrofoobia, on irratsionaalne hirm, mis põhineb tunde peal, mitte loogikal.
Kui keegi kardab lennata, siis ta ilmselt keeldub igasugustest reisidest, isegi kui need on olulised.
Lennukartusega inimene ei pruugi kõigist reisidest keelduda, vaid otsib alternatiive või proovib oma hirmust üle saada. See sõltub konkreetse isiku hirmust ja olukorrast.
Laste puhul on loomulik karta uusi ja tundmatuid olukordi, näiteks uude kooli minemist.
Lapsed kogevad tihti ärevust uute olukordade ees, kuna nad ei tea, mida oodata, ja see on normaalne osa nende arengust.
See, kui keegi kardab mänguasja, tähendab alati, et tal on tõsine psüholoogiline probleem.
Mänguasja kartmine võib olla tingitud lapse fantaasiast või varasemast negatiivsest kogemusest, aga see ei viita alati tõsisele psüholoogilisele probleemile.
Kirjuta lühike essee teemal "Hirmud ja kuidas nendega toime tulla". Maini oma isiklikke kogemusi hirmuga ja anna nõuandeid, kuidas hirme ületada. (Write a short essay on "Fears and how to deal with them". Mention your personal experiences with fear and give advice on how to overcome fears.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Inimesed kardavad tihti tundmatut. Mina kardan näiteks kõrgust, kuigi olen proovinud sellest hirmust üle saada. Hirmudega toimetulekuks on oluline neid tunnistada ja nendega silmitsi seista. Abi võib olla ka teiste inimestega rääkimisest või professionaalse abi otsimisest. (People often fear the unknown. For example, I'm afraid of heights, even though I've tried to overcome this fear. To cope with fears, it's important to acknowledge them and face them. Talking to other people or seeking professional help can also be beneficial.)
Kujutle, et sa oled psühholoog ja annad patsiendile nõu, kuidas ületada sotsiaalset ärevust. Kirjuta lühike nõuanne, kasutades sõna "kartma". (Imagine you are a psychologist giving advice to a patient on how to overcome social anxiety. Write a short piece of advice, using the word "kartma".)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Sotsiaalne ärevus võib panna sind kartma uusi olukordi ja inimestega suhtlemist. Oluline on mõista, et enamik inimesi tunneb aeg-ajalt ebakindlust. Proovi alustada väikestest sammudest, näiteks lühikeste vestluste pidamisest võõrastega, ja ära karda abi küsida. (Social anxiety can make you afraid of new situations and interacting with people. It's important to understand that most people feel insecure at times. Try starting with small steps, such as having short conversations with strangers, and don't be afraid to ask for help.)
Kirjuta lühike lugu sellest, kuidas keegi ületas oma suurima hirmu. Kasuta sõna "kartma" vähemalt kahel korral. (Write a short story about how someone overcame their biggest fear. Use the word "kartma" at least twice.)
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
Mari kartis lapsest saati pimedust. Iga kord, kui tuled kustusid, hakkas ta kartma. Ühel päeval otsustas ta oma hirmuga silmitsi seista. Ta veetis terve öö pimedas metsas telkides. See oli raske, aga hommikul tundis ta end julgemana kui kunagi varem. (Mari had been afraid of the dark since childhood. Every time the lights went out, she started to be afraid. One day, she decided to face her fear. She spent an entire night camping in a dark forest. It was difficult, but in the morning, she felt braver than ever before.)
Miks inimesed lennukiga lendamist kardavad?
Read this passage:
Paljud inimesed kardavad lennukiga lendamist, kuigi statistiliselt on see üks ohutumaid transpordivahendeid. Hirm võib tuleneda kontrolli puudumisest, kõrgusekartusest või turbulentsi pärast muretsemisest. Oluline on meeles pidada, et lennufirmad ja piloodid on äärmiselt koolitatud ja ohutus on nende prioriteet. (Many people are afraid of flying by plane, although statistically it is one of the safest modes of transportation. Fear can stem from a lack of control, fear of heights, or worrying about turbulence. It is important to remember that airlines and pilots are extremely trained and safety is their priority.)
Miks inimesed lennukiga lendamist kardavad?
Tekstis mainitakse, et hirm võib tuleneda kontrolli puudumisest, kõrgusekartusest või turbulentsi pärast muretsemisest. (The text mentions that fear can stem from a lack of control, fear of heights, or worrying about turbulence.)
Tekstis mainitakse, et hirm võib tuleneda kontrolli puudumisest, kõrgusekartusest või turbulentsi pärast muretsemisest. (The text mentions that fear can stem from a lack of control, fear of heights, or worrying about turbulence.)
Millised on mõned tehnikad esinemishirmu ületamiseks?
Read this passage:
Hirm esinemise ees on tavaline ja see võib mõjutada nii algajaid kui ka kogenud esinejaid. Mõned kardavad unustada oma teksti, teised aga kardavad publiku negatiivset reaktsiooni. Selle hirmu ületamiseks on mitmeid tehnikaid, näiteks harjutamine, visualiseerimine ja sügav hingamine. (Fear of public speaking is common and can affect both novice and experienced speakers. Some are afraid of forgetting their text, while others are afraid of a negative reaction from the audience. There are several techniques to overcome this fear, such as practicing, visualizing, and deep breathing.)
Millised on mõned tehnikad esinemishirmu ületamiseks?
Tekstis on öeldud, et selle hirmu ületamiseks on mitmeid tehnikaid, näiteks harjutamine, visualiseerimine ja sügav hingamine. (The text states that there are several techniques to overcome this fear, such as practicing, visualizing, and deep breathing.)
Tekstis on öeldud, et selle hirmu ületamiseks on mitmeid tehnikaid, näiteks harjutamine, visualiseerimine ja sügav hingamine. (The text states that there are several techniques to overcome this fear, such as practicing, visualizing, and deep breathing.)
Miks lapsed pimedust ja koletisi kardavad?
Read this passage:
Lapsed kardavad tihti pimedust ja koletisi voodi all. Need hirmud on sageli tingitud kujutlusvõimest ja vajadusest tunda end turvaliselt. Vanemate roll on pakkuda lastele turvatunnet ja aidata neil oma hirmudest rääkida, et need ei süveneks. (Children often fear the dark and monsters under the bed. These fears are often due to imagination and the need to feel safe. The role of parents is to provide children with a sense of security and help them talk about their fears so that they do not deepen.)
Miks lapsed pimedust ja koletisi kardavad?
Tekstis mainitakse, et need hirmud on sageli tingitud kujutlusvõimest ja vajadusest tunda end turvaliselt. (The text mentions that these fears are often due to imagination and the need to feel safe.)
Tekstis mainitakse, et need hirmud on sageli tingitud kujutlusvõimest ja vajadusest tunda end turvaliselt. (The text mentions that these fears are often due to imagination and the need to feel safe.)
/ 18 correct
Perfect score!
