Here are some basic Estonian phrases which you can use in everyday conversation, as well as some common words you will see on signs.
| Aitäh | Thanks |
| Suur tänu | Thanks very much |
The following are some polite ways you can reply to someone who thanks you:
| Võta heaks | You're welcome |
| Pole tänu väärt | Don't mention it |
| Pole midagi | Not at all |
Saying hello and goodbye
Here are some different ways to greet people:
| Tere hommikust | Good morning (used before noon) |
| Tere päevast | Good afternoon (used from noon until around 5pm) |
| Tere õhtust | Good evening (used from around 5pm) |
The following expressions, on the other hand, are some different things you can say when saying goodbye:
| Head aega | Goodbye |
| Head ööd | Goodnight |
| Nägemist! | See you! |
| Näeme! | See you! |
| Näeme varsti! | See you soon! |
| Head päeva! | Have a nice day! |
| Head nädalavahetust! | Have a good weekend! |
Getting someone's attention and apologising
| Vabandust | Excuse me (can be used to get someone's attention, to get past someone, or to apologise) |
| Vabandage | Sorry |
If someone apologises to you, you can reply using one of the following expressions:
| Pole midagi | It's OK |
| Pole viga | No problem |
| Ära muretse | Don't worry about it |
Making yourself understood
| Kas te räägite inglise keelt? | Do you speak English? |
| Kas te räägite eesti keelt? | Do you speak Estonian? |
| Ma ei räägi eesti keelt | I don't speak Estonian |
| Ma räägin natuke eesti keelt | I speak a little Estonian |
| Palun rääkige aeglasemalt | Please speak more slowly |
| Palun kirjutage see üles | Please write it down |
| Kas saaksite seda korrata? | Could you please repeat that? |
| Ma saan aru | I understand |
| Ma ei saa aru | I don't understand |
Other basic phrases
| Ma tean | I know |
| Ma ei tea | I don't know |
| Vabandust, kus asub tualett? | Excuse me, where's the toilet? |
Things you might see
| Sissepääs | Entrance |
| Väljapääs | Exit |
| Varuväljapääs | Emergency exit |
| WC | WC |
| Tualetid | Toilets |
| Härrad | Gentlemen |
| Daamid | Ladies |
| Vaba | Vacant |
| Kinni | Occupied |
| Rikkis | Out of order |
| Suitsetamine keelatud | No smoking |
| Eravaldus | Private |
| Sissepääs keelatud | No entry |
