ning
Formal and (Ning)
Ning means and. It is common in writing and formal speech, while ja is the everyday word.
How It Works
Ning means and, exactly like ja. The difference is style: ja is used everywhere, while ning sounds more careful. You will see it in writing, news, instructions and formal speech. In casual talk people mostly just say ja.
Two ands in one sentence. When a sentence needs more than one and, ning usually comes last and joins the bigger parts. Ja joins the smaller items inside one part:
- Ostsin [leiba ja piima] ning läksin koju.
- Lisa [soola ja pipart] ning keeda veel kümme minutit.
- Mängisin [võrk- ja korvpalli] ning tennist.
This helps the reader see which words belong together.
Commas. Like ja, või and ega, ning normally has no comma before it: Ta õpib ning töötab. A comma is possible only when ning suddenly starts a new thought.
Negative sentences. After a negative verb, use ega instead of ja or ning: Ma ei joo kohvi ega teed.
Ning is the formal partner of ja in the same way that kuid is the formal partner of aga.
Examples (5)
- Ostsin leiba ja piima ning läksin koju.
I bought bread and milk and went home.
Ja joins bread and milk. Ning joins the two actions.
- Ta õpib ülikoolis ning töötab kohvikus.
She studies at the university and works in a café.
Ning joins two actions in a more formal way. Ja would also be correct.
- Lisa soola ja pipart ning keeda veel kümme minutit.
Add salt and pepper and cook for ten more minutes.
In a recipe, ning starts the next step.
- Palun täitke ankeet ning saatke see meile tagasi.
Please fill in the form and send it back to us.
A polite written instruction. Ning makes it sound formal.
- Muuseumis on vanu pilte ja mööblit ning palju raamatuid.
The museum has old pictures and furniture, and many books.
Ning adds the last, larger part of the list.
Common Mistakes
Using ja or ning after a negative verb.
Ma ei joo kohvi ning teed.Ma ei joo kohvi ega teed.When the verb is negative, and becomes ega.
Putting a comma before ning.
Ta õpib, ning töötab.Ta õpib ning töötab.Like ja, ning normally takes no comma when it joins two parts of the same sentence.
How It Connects
Learn This First
ning is a formal ja.
Related Patterns
- ei ... egaNeither ... nor
After a negative verb, ega replaces ja and ning.
Level 3 - nii ... kui kaBoth ... and
Another way to join two things: both ... and.
Level 3 - aga / kuid / vaidBut (Aga, Kuid, Vaid)
Kuid is the formal twin of aga, just as ning is the formal twin of ja.
Level 2 - Commas Before Clauses
Ning follows the same no-comma rule as ja, või and ega.
Level 3 - Written vs Spoken Estonian
Ning is much more common in writing than in speech.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice ning in Bubblegum
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