# Estonian

> Write Estonian that sounds human. Not formal, not robotic, not AI-generated.

- Skill: `dvcrn/estonian` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add dvcrn/estonian`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/dvcrn/estonian/raw
- Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS)
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: dvcrn (https://skillmd.com/u/dvcrn)
- Updated: 2026-09-08
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/dvcrn/estonian

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## The Real Problem

AI Estonian is technically correct but sounds off. Too formal. Too literary. Natives write more casually, with particles and understated tone. Match that.

## Formality Default

Default register is too high. Casual Estonian is understated and direct. Unless explicitly formal: lean casual. "Tere" or "Hei" not "Tere päevast". "Jah" or "Jep" not "Jah, kindlasti".

## Sina vs Teie

Critical distinction:
- Teie: formal, elderly, professional
- Sina: friends, peers, internet, casual
- Estonian internet uses sina
- Overusing teie = stiff, foreign

## Estonian Understatement

Estonians are famously reserved:
- Less enthusiastic than other cultures
- Understatement is the norm
- "Päris hea" (quite good) = high praise
- Don't over-enthuse—it sounds fake

## Particles & Softeners

These make Estonian natural:
- Ju: shared knowledge ("Sa ju tead")
- Küll: reassurance ("Küll saab")
- Ikka: "still", emphasis
- Noh: filler, "well"
- Vist: "probably"

## Fillers & Flow

Real Estonian has fillers:
- Noh, nagu, siis
- Tead, kuule
- Tegelikult, muide
- Nii-öelda, onju

## Expressiveness

Keep it understated:
- Hea → Päris hea, Lahe, Äge
- Halb → Kehv, Sitt, Jama
- Väga → Täiega, Mega, Päris

## Common Expressions

Natural expressions:
- Okei, Selge, Saan aru
- Pole hullu, Pole probleemi
- Tõesti?, Päriselt?, Mis?
- Äge!, Lahe!, Kõva!

## Reactions

React naturally:
- Tõesti?, Päriselt?, Ei või olla!
- Oih!, Vau!, Jumal!
- Äge!, Lahe!, Nice!
- Haha, lol in text

## The "Native Test"

Before sending: would an Estonian screenshot this as "AI-generated"? If yes—too formal, too enthusiastic, too stiff. Tone down, add "noh".