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A1 noun 7 min read

pere

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips pere in 30 Seconds

Explanation pere in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'pere' is one of the first nouns you learn. You use it to describe your immediate surroundings. You should focus on the nominative 'pere' and the basic possessive 'minu pere' (my family). At this stage, sentences are simple: 'See on minu pere' (This is my family). You learn to name family members like 'ema' (mother), 'isa' (father), 'õde' (sister), and 'venda' (brother) in relation to the 'pere'. The goal is to be able to give a basic introduction of who lives with you and what your family is like (big or small). You don't need to worry about complex cases yet, just the basic identity of the word.

At the A2 level, you start using 'pere' in more varied sentences. You introduce the partitive case 'peret' when saying things like 'Ma armastan oma peret'. You also begin to use 'pere' in compound words such as 'perearst' (family doctor) and 'perepilt' (family photo). You can describe activities your family does together: 'Meie pere sööb koos õhtust' (Our family eats dinner together). You are also expected to understand the difference between 'pere' and 'perekond' in simple contexts. Your ability to use adjectives to describe the family expands, allowing for more detailed descriptions of your home life.

At the B1 level, you move beyond simple descriptions and start discussing family dynamics and traditions. You use 'pere' in various grammatical cases, including the illative 'perre' (into the family) and the adessive 'perel' (the family has). You can explain why family is important to you and describe Estonian family traditions like 'Jõulud' (Christmas). You also start to encounter 'pere' in news articles or short stories. You can discuss the concept of 'kärgpere' (blended family) and other modern family structures. Your vocabulary around 'pere' becomes more functional, allowing you to handle situations like registering a family member for an event.

At the B2 level, 'pere' is used to discuss social issues and abstract concepts. You might talk about 'perepoliitika' (family policy) or the impact of the economy on 'pered' (families). You understand the nuances between 'pere', 'perekond', and 'leibkond' and can use them correctly in formal writing. You can follow debates about family values and express your own opinion using sophisticated vocabulary. You are comfortable with idioms involving 'pere', such as 'pereheitmine'. Your understanding of the word is no longer just personal; it is societal. You can read sociological texts that use 'pere' as a unit of analysis.

At the C1 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'pere'. You can appreciate the word's use in Estonian literature and poetry, where it might symbolize the nation or a deep historical connection. You understand the historical evolution of the Estonian family from the 'talu' (farm) system to modern urban life. You can use 'pere' in highly formal or academic registers without error. You are aware of the subtle emotional weight the word carries in different dialects or regional contexts. You can engage in complex discussions about the changing definition of 'pere' in the 21st century, using precise and varied terminology.

At the C2 level, 'pere' is a tool for professional and creative expression. You can write essays on the philosophy of the family or lead policy discussions on 'perehüvitised' (family benefits). You recognize the most obscure idioms and historical references related to 'pere'. Your usage is indistinguishable from a native speaker, including the correct use of all 14 Estonian cases with 'pere' in complex, multi-clause sentences. You can play with the word in puns or creative writing, and you understand its deep semiotic value in the Estonian cultural landscape. The word 'pere' is now part of a vast, interconnected web of linguistic and cultural knowledge.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

pere in 30 Seconds

Pere means 'family' in Estonian and is a central A1-level noun used in daily life.
It is less formal than 'perekond' and is often used for the immediate household.
The word is declined simply, with 'pere' as both nominative and genitive, and 'peret' as partitive.
It forms many common compounds like 'perearst' (family doctor) and 'perekonnanimi' (surname).

The Estonian word pere is one of the most fundamental building blocks of the Estonian language, representing the concept of 'family'. At its core, it refers to a group of people related by blood, marriage, or adoption, typically living together. However, in Estonian culture, the word carries a deep emotional resonance, often implying a sense of belonging, safety, and ancestral connection. You will encounter this word in almost every social context, from filling out official documents to sharing personal stories with friends. It is a noun that follows the standard declension patterns, making it an essential entry point for beginners learning Estonian grammar and social structure.

Core Meaning: The primary social unit consisting of parents and children; a household.
Extended Usage: Can refer to a larger collective, such as a school family (koolipere) or a work family (tööperre), indicating a close-knit community.

Minu pere elab Tallinnas.

Translation: My family lives in Tallinn.

Understanding 'pere' also requires understanding the Estonian concept of 'kodu' (home), as the two are inextricably linked. In Estonia, the family unit has historically been the bedrock of survival, especially during the long agrarian winters. While modern Estonian families vary in size and structure, the word 'pere' remains the standard term. It is less formal than 'perekond', which is often used in legal or bureaucratic contexts, though the two are frequently interchangeable in daily speech. When you use 'pere', you are speaking from the heart about those closest to you.

Meil on suur ja õnnelik pere.

Translation: We have a big and happy family.

Cultural Nuance: Estonians value privacy, so 'pere' is the inner circle where people are most authentic.

Historically, the Estonian 'pere' included not just parents and children, but often grandparents and even farmhands living under one roof. Today, while nuclear families are common, the term 'pere' still evokes that sense of a shared life and shared responsibility. In recent years, terms like 'kärgpere' (blended family) have become common, showing the word's flexibility in modern society.

Using pere correctly involves understanding its declension. As a noun, it changes its ending based on its role in the sentence. The nominative is 'pere', the genitive (possessive) is also 'pere', and the partitive is 'peret'. For instance, if you are talking about 'the family's car', you use the genitive: 'pere auto'. If you are counting families or using it as an object of certain verbs, you use 'peret'.

Ma armastan oma peret väga.

Translation: I love my family very much. (Partitive case)

Subject Position: Pere läheb puhkusele. (The family is going on vacation.)
Possessive Position: See on meie pere traditsioon. (This is our family's tradition.)

When describing the size of a family, Estonians use adjectives like 'suur' (big), 'väike' (small), or 'lasterikas' (with many children). It's also common to use 'pere' in the plural 'pered' when talking about multiple families in a neighborhood or a study. The word is incredibly versatile and acts as a foundation for many daily expressions.

Kogu pere tuli kokku.

Translation: The whole family came together.

In more complex sentences, 'pere' can be part of postpositional phrases. For example, 'pere keskel' means 'in the midst of the family'. It can also be used with 'koos' (together): 'koos perega' (together with the family). Mastering these variations allows you to describe social dynamics accurately in Estonian.

You will hear pere everywhere in Estonia—from the quiet conversations in a Tartu cafe to the evening news broadcasts in Tallinn. It is a word that transcends social class and age. In schools, teachers often talk about the 'koolipere' (school family), fostering a sense of community among students and staff. On television, advertisements for food, cars, or insurance frequently target 'pered', emphasizing safety and togetherness.

Daily Life: In grocery stores, you'll see 'perepakid' (family packs) of sausages or bread.
Media: The radio might announce a 'perepäev' (family day) happening in a local park.

Tere tulemast meie perre!

Translation: Welcome to our family! (Illative case)

In professional settings, Estonians might use 'pere' less frequently than 'meeskond' (team), but the term 'pereettevõte' (family business) is highly respected, implying a long-term commitment and reliability. During holidays like Christmas (Jõulud) or Jaanipäev (Midsummer), the word 'pere' becomes the central theme of almost every conversation, as these are times when people travel across the country to be with their relatives.

Furthermore, the word appears in many idioms and proverbs. For example, 'pereheitmine' literally means 'family casting' but is used to describe bees swarming or, metaphorically, children leaving home to start their own lives. Hearing these nuances will help you understand the Estonian worldview where the family is both a literal unit and a powerful metaphor for growth and continuity.

One of the most common mistakes for English speakers is confusing pere with perekond. While they both mean family, 'pere' is more casual and intimate, whereas 'perekond' is often used in official contexts or when referring to the legal entity of a family. Using 'perekond' in a warm, personal conversation can sometimes sound a bit stiff or clinical, like saying 'my biological unit' instead of 'my family'.

Case Confusion: Mistaking the partitive 'peret' for the nominative 'pere' when it's an object of a verb like 'armastama' (to love).
Plural Errors: Using the singular 'pere' when you mean 'relatives' (sugulased). Family is the immediate unit; relatives are the extended group.

Valesti: Ma armastan minu pere.

Correction: Ma armastan oma peret. (Use reflexive 'oma' and partitive 'peret')

Another mistake involves the use of possessive pronouns. In Estonian, instead of saying 'minu pere' (my family) all the time, it is more natural to use 'oma pere' (one's own family) when the subject of the sentence is the owner. Saying 'minu pere' isn't grammatically wrong, but it can sound repetitive or overly emphatic to a native ear.

Finally, beginners often struggle with the illative case 'perre' (into the family). If someone is getting married or a baby is born, they are coming 'perre'. It's a short, specific form that takes practice to recognize and use correctly. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Estonian sound much more natural and idiomatic.

While pere is the most common word for family, Estonian offers several alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey. Understanding the difference between 'pere', 'perekond', and 'suguvõsa' is key to reaching a higher level of fluency. Each word has its own 'gravity' and social application.

Perekond: More formal. Used in 'perekonnaseis' (marital status) or 'perekonnanimi' (surname).
Suguvõsa: Refers to the extended family, lineage, or clan. Used for family reunions (suguvõsa kokkutulek).
Leibkond: A sociological term meaning 'household'—those who share a budget and a kitchen.

Kogu suguvõsa sai suvel kokku.

Translation: The whole clan/extended family met in the summer.

There are also more poetic or archaic terms. 'Kodakond' can refer to the people belonging to a home, though it is rare today. 'Omased' refers to 'one's own people' or close relatives, often used in sensitive contexts like funerals or hospital visits. Choosing the right word shows your sensitivity to Estonian social norms and the depth of your vocabulary.

When in doubt, 'pere' is almost always safe. It covers the core emotional and social meaning that English speakers associate with 'family'. However, as you progress, trying out 'suguvõsa' when talking about your great-aunts and second cousins will make you sound like a much more advanced speaker.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Palun märkige oma perekonnaseis."

Neutral

"Minu pere elab siin."

Informal

"Kuidas su perel läheb?"

Child friendly

"Siin on karu-pere."

Slang

"See kamp on nagu mu pere."

Fun Fact

The word 'pere' used to include everyone living on a farm, including servants, not just blood relatives.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈpere/

US /ˈpɛrɛ/

Primary stress is on the first syllable: PE-re.

Rhymes With

vere (of blood) kere (body/hull) mere (of the sea) tere (hello) vere veere keere seere

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'r' too harshly like an English 'r'.
Making the first 'e' too long (like 'pay-re').
Aspirating the 'p' (adding a puff of air).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 1/5

Very easy to recognize and read.

Writing 1/5

Short word, easy to spell.

Speaking 2/5

Requires correct 'r' and 'e' sounds.

Listening 1/5

Distinct sound, easy to hear.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

mina sina olema ema isa

Learn Next

sugulane laps venda õde kodu

Advanced

perekond leibkond suguvõsa pärand hõim

Grammar to Know

Genitive case for possession

Pere auto (Family's car)

Partitive case for objects of 'love'

Ma armastan peret.

Inessive case for location inside

Meie peres (In our family)

Comitative case for 'with'

Koos perega (With the family)

Allative case for 'to'

Ütle perele tere (Say hello to the family)

Examples by Level

Minu pere on väike.

My family is small.

Nominative case.

See on meie pere.

This is our family.

Simple demonstrative sentence.

Kus on sinu pere?

Where is your family?

Question form.

Meie pere elab majas.

Our family lives in a house.

Verb 'elama' (to live).

Isa on pere pea.

Father is the head of the family.

Genitive used as possessive.

Minu pere on tore.

My family is nice.

Adjective agreement.

Siin on minu pere pilt.

Here is a picture of my family.

Compound-like genitive use.

Kas sul on pere?

Do you have a family?

Adessive case for possession (sul on).

Ma armastan oma peret.

I love my family.

Partitive case 'peret'.

Meil on suur pere.

We have a large family.

Adessive 'meil on'.

Pere läheb koos poodi.

The family goes to the store together.

Adverb 'koos' (together).

See on minu pere auto.

This is my family's car.

Genitive 'pere'.

Perearst aitab meid.

The family doctor helps us.

Compound word 'perearst'.

Meie pere koer on must.

Our family's dog is black.

Double genitive structure.

Kas sa tunned minu peret?

Do you know my family?

Partitive 'peret' with verb 'tundma'.

Pere sööb hommikusööki.

The family is eating breakfast.

Present tense verb.

Puhkus perega on parim.

A vacation with family is the best.

Comitative case 'perega'.

Kogu pere tuli sünnipäevale.

The whole family came to the birthday.

Adjective 'kogu' (whole).

Ta tutvustas mind oma perele.

He introduced me to his family.

Allative case 'perele'.

Meie peres on kolm last.

In our family, there are three children.

Inessive case 'peres'.

Pere väärtused on olulised.

Family values are important.

Plural subject with genitive modifier.

Me räägime tihti perest.

We often talk about the family.

Elative case 'perest'.

Pere toetus on talle tähtis.

Family support is important to him.

Abstract noun 'toetus'.

Nad on nagu üks pere.

They are like one family.

Simile with 'nagu'.

Riik toetab noori peresid.

The state supports young families.

Plural partitive 'peresid'.

Pereheitmine toimub tavaliselt sügisel.

Leaving the nest usually happens in autumn.

Idiomatic noun 'pereheitmine'.

See on traditsiooniline Eesti pere.

This is a traditional Estonian family.

Adjective 'traditsiooniline'.

Perekonnaseis on 'abielus'.

Marital status is 'married'.

Formal word 'perekond' derivative.

Kärgpere on tänapäeval tavaline.

A blended family is common today.

Modern term 'kärgpere'.

Pere sissetulek on kasvanud.

The family income has grown.

Economic context.

Ta on pärit suurest perest.

He comes from a large family.

Phrase 'pärit olema' with elative.

Pereelu nõuab kompromisse.

Family life requires compromises.

Compound 'pereelu'.

Pere on ühiskonna alustala.

Family is the foundation of society.

Philosophical statement.

Demograafiline kriis mõjutab peresid.

The demographic crisis affects families.

Academic context.

Ta pühendas oma elu perele.

He dedicated his life to his family.

Verb 'pühendama' with allative.

Perekonnanimede panemine oli ajalooline sündmus.

The giving of surnames was a historical event.

Historical context.

Lasterikas pere saab riigilt toetust.

A family with many children receives support from the state.

Specific term 'lasterikas'.

Pere siseasjadesse ei tohiks sekkuda.

One should not interfere in family internal affairs.

Legal/ethical nuance.

Ta tunneb end pere rüpes turvaliselt.

She feels safe in the lap/embrace of the family.

Poetic expression 'rüpes'.

Perekonnaseadus reguleerib suhteid.

The Family Law Act regulates relationships.

Legal term 'perekonnaseadus'.

Perekonnadünaamika on äärmiselt keeruline.

Family dynamics are extremely complex.

Scientific/psychological register.

Toimus intensiivne pereheitmine.

Intense swarming/leaving occurred.

Metaphorical/literary use.

Ta on oma suguvõsa ja pere au eest väljas.

He stands for the honor of his lineage and family.

Honorific/archaic tone.

Perekonnapärimus kandub põlvest põlve.

Family lore is passed from generation to generation.

Compound 'perekonnapärimus'.

Eesti perekonnapoliitika on Euroopas eeskujuks.

Estonian family policy is a model in Europe.

Political analysis.

Indiviidi ja pere huvid võivad põrkuda.

The interests of the individual and the family may clash.

Abstract conflict.

Perekonnakonstellatsioonid on teraapias kasutusel.

Family constellations are used in therapy.

Specialized terminology.

See on perekonnakroonika väärtuslik osa.

This is a valuable part of the family chronicle.

Literary/archival context.

Common Collocations

noor pere

lasterikas pere

pere pea

pere traditsioon

pere sissetulek

pere ringis

pere keskel

pere pilt

pere heaks

pere looma

Common Phrases

Pere on kõige tähtsam.

— Family is the most important thing.

Ära unusta, et pere on kõige tähtsam.

Terve perega.

— With the whole family.

Me läksime terve perega kinno.

Pere juurde minema.

— To go to one's family.

Ma lähen nädalavahetusel pere juurde.

Uus liige peres.

— A new member in the family.

Meil on uus liige peres – väike kutsikas.

Pere toel.

— With the support of the family.

Ta sai raskustest üle pere toel.

Pere nimel.

— In the name of the family.

Ma teen seda meie pere nimel.

Pere ja kodu.

— Family and home (a common pairing).

Talle on pere ja kodu esikohal.

Nagu üks pere.

— Like one family.

Meie klass on nagu üks pere.

Pere heitma.

— To swarm (bees) or children leaving home.

Mesilased hakkasid pere heitma.

Pere asjad.

— Family matters.

Need on meie pere asjad.

Often Confused With

pere vs perekond

Often interchangeable but 'perekond' is more formal.

pere vs peri

Not an Estonian word, but sounds like 'pere'.

pere vs pärand

Means inheritance; sounds slightly similar.

Idioms & Expressions

"Pereheitmine"

— The act of children growing up and leaving the parental home.

Nüüd on lastel aeg pereheitmiseks.

Neutral

"Must lammas peres"

— The black sheep of the family; someone different or troublesome.

Teda peeti alati pere mustaks lambaks.

Informal

"Veri on paksem kui vesi"

— Family ties are stronger than any other relationships.

Lõpuks aitas teda ikkagi vend, sest veri on paksem kui vesi.

Neutral

"Pere pea"

— The person who makes the decisions in the family.

Vanaema oli tegelikult meie pere pea.

Neutral

"Kärgpere"

— A blended family where parents have children from previous relationships.

Nende kärgpere on väga kokkuhoidev.

Modern

"Pere rüpes"

— In the warm embrace/safety of the family.

Ta puhkas pere rüpes.

Poetic

"Suur pere, suured mured"

— Large family, large worries (proverb).

Nagu öeldakse: suur pere, suured mured.

Informal

"Koolipere"

— The community of a school acting as a family.

Kogu koolipere tähistas aktust.

Institutional

"Perekonnapatud"

— Family sins or secrets passed down.

Need on vanad perekonnapatud.

Literary

"Pesast välja lendama"

— To fly out of the nest (leave the family home).

Lapsed lendavad varsti pesast välja.

Informal

Easily Confused

pere vs perekond

Both mean family.

Pere is for daily use; perekond is for formal/official use.

Minu pere on siin. vs. Perekonnaseis: abielus.

pere vs suguvõsa

Both refer to related people.

Pere is the immediate unit; suguvõsa is the whole lineage.

Meie pere sööb õhtust. vs. Meie suguvõsa on pärit Tartust.

pere vs leibkond

Both refer to people in a house.

Leibkond is an economic term for people sharing a budget.

Statistika uurib leibkondi.

pere vs omased

Both refer to family members.

Omased is usually used in the context of loss or medical news.

Haigla teavitas omaseid.

pere vs kodakond

Old word for family/household.

Kodakond is archaic and rarely used today.

Vana tekst räägib kodakonnast.

Sentence Patterns

See on [possessive] pere.

See on minu pere.

Minu pere on [adjective].

Minu pere on suur.

Ma [verb] oma peret.

Ma igatsen oma peret.

Meie peres on [number] [member].

Meie peres on kolm õde.

Ma lähen [preposition] perega.

Ma lähen reisile koos perega.

[Member] on minu pere [role].

Ema on minu pere süda.

Pere [noun] on [adjective].

Pere toetus on asendamatu.

Hoolimata [noun], hoiab pere kokku.

Hoolimata tülidest, hoiab pere kokku.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high; top 500 words.

Common Mistakes

Ma armastan minu pere. → Ma armastan oma peret.
You must use the partitive case 'peret' for the object of love, and 'oma' is more natural than 'minu'.
Minu perekond elab siin (in casual talk). → Minu pere elab siin.
'Perekond' is slightly too formal for a casual chat about where you live.
Meie perega on suur. → Meie pere on suur.
Don't add the 'ga' (with) ending if the family is the subject of the sentence.
Ma nägin suguvõsa (when meaning nuclear family). → Ma nägin peret.
'Suguvõsa' refers to the whole extended clan, not just the people you live with.
Perearst on minu sõber (using wrong case). → Perearst on minu sõber.
Actually, this is correct, but beginners often try to decline 'pere' and 'arst' separately. Only the last part declines.

Tips

Identical Nominative and Genitive

In the singular, 'pere' looks the same in the nominative and genitive cases. Context tells you if it's 'family' or 'family's'.

Use 'Oma' for Possession

Instead of 'minu pere', use 'oma pere' when you are the subject of the sentence. It sounds more like a native speaker.

Extended Family

If you want to talk about grandparents and cousins, use 'sugulased' (relatives) instead of 'pere'.

The Estonian R

Practice the 'r' in 'pere' by lightly tapping your tongue. It shouldn't be as heavy as a Spanish 'r' or as soft as an English one.

Compound Power

Estonian loves compound words. Try learning 'perearst', 'perepilt', and 'perepäev' together with 'pere'.

Introducing People

When introducing someone to your family, use 'See on minu pere' (This is my family).

Partitive Check

Always check if your verb requires the partitive case ('peret') or the nominative ('pere').

Case Endings

Pay close attention to the end of the word 'pere'. A small 's' or 'ga' at the end changes the whole meaning of the sentence.

Tere-Pere

Rhyme 'Tere' (Hello) with 'Pere' (Family) to remember both words easily.

Kärgpere

Learn the word 'kärgpere' (blended family) to discuss modern family structures in Estonia.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Pair' of parents starting a 'Pere'. It sounds like 'pair' but with an 'e' at the end.

Visual Association

Imagine a large oak tree with many branches, each branch representing a family member, with the word PERE carved into the trunk.

Word Web

Ema Isa Laps Kodu Armastus Toetus Traditsioon Õde

Challenge

Try to describe three members of your 'pere' using only Estonian adjectives today.

Word Origin

Of Finnic origin, related to the Finnish 'perhe'.

Original meaning: Originally referred to the household or the group of people living on a farm.

Uralic -> Finno-Ugric -> Finnic.

Cultural Context

Be mindful that 'pere' can include many structures; avoid assuming every 'pere' has a mother and father.

English speakers might use 'family' for both immediate and extended relatives, while Estonians are more likely to distinguish between 'pere' (immediate) and 'sugulased' (relatives).

Tõde ja Õigus (Truth and Justice) - focuses on family struggles. Pere ja Kodu (popular Estonian magazine). Eesti pered (documentary series).

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Introducing yourself

Minu peres on...
Ma elan koos perega.
See on minu pere.
Mul on suur pere.

Medical visit

Kas teil on perearst?
Perekonnas on esinenud...
Minu pere tervis...
Helistage mu perele.

Social events

Tule koos perega!
Tervitused perele!
Kuidas pere elab?
Kogu pere on kutsutud.

Formal documents

Perekonnanimi
Perekonnaseis
Pere koosseis
Perekonnaseadus

Holidays

Perega koos tähistama
Pere kingitused
Pere traditsioonid
Külastame peret

Conversation Starters

"Räägi mulle oma perest. (Tell me about your family.)"

"Kas sul on suur või väike pere? (Do you have a big or small family?)"

"Mida su perele meeldib koos teha? (What does your family like to do together?)"

"Kus su pere elab? (Where does your family live?)"

"Kas sul on mingeid erilisi pere traditsioone? (Do you have any special family traditions?)"

Journal Prompts

Kirjelda oma peret ja nende iseloomu. (Describe your family and their personalities.)

Miks on pere sulle oluline? (Why is family important to you?)

Milline on sinu kõige ilusam mälestus koos perega? (What is your most beautiful memory with your family?)

Kuidas on sinu pere aja jooksul muutunud? (How has your family changed over time?)

Mida tähendab sinu jaoks sõna 'pere'? (What does the word 'family' mean to you?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Estonian does not have grammatical gender, so 'pere' is neither. It is a neutral noun in that regard.

Use 'peret' (partitive) when the family is the object of a verb like 'armastama' (to love), 'aitama' (to help), or 'ootama' (to wait for).

Think of 'pere' as 'family' and 'perekond' as 'The Family' (more formal/legal). Use 'pere' in 90% of casual conversations.

The word is 'perearst'. It's a compound word combining 'pere' and 'arst' (doctor).

Metaphorically, yes. You can say 'Me oleme nagu üks pere' (We are like one family).

The nominative plural is 'pered'. For example: 'Paljud pered puhkavad suvel' (Many families vacation in summer).

Yes, you can talk about a 'karupere' (bear family) or a bird family in a nest.

It means 'family name' or 'surname'. It is one of the most common compound words with 'pere'.

Use the comitative case: 'koos oma perega' or simply 'perega'.

Yes, it is one of the most frequently used words in the Estonian language.