isegi / ainult / just
Even, Only, Exactly
Isegi laps teab seda means Even a child knows that. Mul on ainult viis eurot means I only have five euros.
How It Works
- isegi (even) marks something surprising: Isegi laps teab seda. With a negative it means not even: Ta ei öelnud isegi tere. The ending -gi/-ki is a shorter way to say the same thing: Lapski teab seda. A stressed ka can mean even too: Seda teab ka laps.
- ainult (only) limits: Mul on ainult viis eurot. Ainult Mari tuli õigel ajal. In formal writing vaid is common too. For time meaning not until or still early, use alles: Ta tuleb alles homme.
- just means exactly: Just seda ma mõtlesin. just nii (exactly like that). It also means a moment ago: Ta just lahkus. After a negative it softens: Ma ei ole just rikas. (I am not exactly rich.) On its own, Just! means Exactly!
Place the word right before what you mean: Ainult mina tean seda. (Only I know it.) Ma tean ainult seda. (That is the only thing I know.)
Examples (6)
- Isegi laps teab seda.
Even a child knows that.
Word by Word: even child knows that
- Ta ei öelnud isegi tere.
He did not even say hello.
Word by Word: he not said even hello
- Mul on ainult viis eurot.
I only have five euros.
Word by Word: at-me is only five euro-PART
- Ainult Mari tuli õigel ajal.
Only Mari came on time.
Word by Word: only Mari came right-on time-on
- Just seda ma mõtlesin.
That is exactly what I was thinking.
Word by Word: exactly that I thought
- Ta just lahkus.
She has just left.
Word by Word: she just left
Common Mistakes
Using just to mean only, as in English.
Mul on just viis eurot.Mul on ainult viis eurot.just viis eurot means exactly five euros. For only, use ainult.
Choosing -gi instead of -ki after s.
Lapsgi teab seda.Lapski teab seda.The ending is -ki after b, d, g, p, t, k, s, h, f, š, z and ž, and -gi after other sounds: lapski, minagi.
Using ainult for not until.
Ta tuleb ainult homme.Ta tuleb alles homme.ainult homme means only tomorrow and on no other day. For not until tomorrow, use alles.
How It Connects
Learn This First
These focus words work like ka.
Related Patterns
- -gi/-kiToo and Even (-gi/-ki)
A short ending that can mean even: lapski.
Level 3 - juba / veel / allesAlready, Still, Only Just
alles means only in the sense of not until.
Level 2 - mitteNegating a Word (Mitte)
Another word that goes right before the word it targets.
Level 3 - Strong Negation (üldse, sugugi)Strong Negation
Stronger ways to say not at all.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice isegi / ainult / just in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Estonian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
