kuigi
Although (Kuigi)
Ma lähen välja, kuigi sajab vihma means I am going out, although it is raining.
How It Works
kuigi (although, even though) starts a clause that admits something surprising or unhelpful.
- After the main clause: Ma lähen välja, kuigi sajab vihma.
- Before the main clause: Kuigi ta on väsinud, tuleb ta kaasa. The main clause then usually starts with its verb.
- With siiski or ikkagi for extra force: Kuigi oli hilja, läksime siiski välja.
Punctuation: a kuigi clause is always separated with a comma. This is true even when its verb is left out: Film oli hea, kuigi natuke pikk.
Do not confuse kuigi with kui (when, if) or sest (because). kui gives a time or a condition, and sest gives a reason. For "although" in formal writing, you will also meet ehkki and olgugi et.
Examples (6)
- Ma lähen välja, kuigi sajab vihma.
I'm going out, although it's raining.
Word by Word: I go out, although rains rain
- Kuigi ta on väsinud, tuleb ta kaasa.
Although he is tired, he is coming along.
After the kuigi clause, the main clause starts with its verb.
- Kuigi oli juba hilja, ei läinud keegi koju.
Although it was already late, nobody went home.
- Ta ei tulnud, kuigi ta lubas.
She didn't come, even though she promised.
- Film oli hea, kuigi natuke pikk.
The film was good, if a bit long.
The verb oli is left out, but the comma stays.
- Kuigi ma õppisin palju, oli eksam raske.
Although I studied a lot, the exam was hard.
Common Mistakes
Leaving out the comma.
Ma lähen välja kuigi sajab vihma.Ma lähen välja, kuigi sajab vihma.A kuigi clause is a subordinate clause, and Estonian always separates it with a comma.
Keeping the subject before the verb after a kuigi clause.
Kuigi ta on väsinud, ta tuleb kaasa.Kuigi ta on väsinud, tuleb ta kaasa.The kuigi clause counts as the first part of the sentence, so the main clause starts with its verb: tuleb ta.
Using kuigi for "because".
Ma jäin koju, kuigi olin haige.Ma jäin koju, sest olin haige.Meant as "because I was ill". Being ill is the reason for staying home, so the sentence needs sest.
How It Connects
Learn This First
kuigi concedes, like aga.
Related Patterns
- sestBecause (Sest)
sest gives a reason, while kuigi admits something that goes against the main clause.
Level 2 - kuiWhen and if (Kui)
kui looks similar but means "when" or "if".
Level 2 - ehkki / olgugi etFormal Although
Formal words with the same meaning as kuigi.
Level 5 - küll ... agaAdmittedly ... but
Another way to admit a point and then contrast it.
Level 4 - Commas Before Clauses
kuigi clauses always take a comma.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice kuigi in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Estonian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
