b, d, g / p, t, k

Spelling B, D, G and P, T, K

Level 1

Between vowels, b, d, g are short, p, t, k are long and pp, tt, kk are overlong: kabi, kapi, kappi.

How It Works

In English, the difference between b and p is voicing. In Estonian it is mostly length. After a short vowel, the spelling tells you exactly how long the stop is:

  • b, d, g = short: kabi (hoof), kade (envious), lugu (story)
  • p, t, k = long: kapi (of the cupboard), kate (cover), luku (of the lock)
  • pp, tt, kk = overlong: kappi (into the cupboard), katte (of the cover), lukku (into the lock)

This is the one place where Estonian spelling shows the difference between long and overlong. For other sounds, both are written with a double letter. See short, long and overlong.

A few more spelling rules:

  • Native words start with p, t, k: pood (shop), tuba (room), kala (fish). Some loanwords keep b, d, g: banaan, doktor, buss. Estonians still say these softly, much like p, t, k.
  • Next to a voiceless sound such as s or h, write p, t, k: kast (box), lapsik (childish), vahtima (to stare). This is also why the particle is -ki after these sounds. See -gi and -ki.
  • In a compound, each part keeps its own spelling: raudtee (railway) keeps the d of raud (iron).

For pronunciation, remember two things. Do not add a puff of air after p, t, k. And do not buzz b, d, g as strongly as in English; they are short and light.

The same letters often change inside one word, because of consonant gradation: kapp (cupboard), kapi (of the cupboard).

Examples (6)

  1. Lugu on huvitav.

    The story is interesting.

    Word by Word: Story is interesting.

    The g in lugu is a short stop.

  2. Võti on lukus.

    The key is in the lock.

    Word by Word: Key is lock-in.

    The single k in lukus is long.

  3. Keera uks lukku.

    Lock the door.

    Word by Word: Turn door lock-into.

    The double kk in lukku is overlong.

  4. Kapi uks on lahti.

    The cupboard door is open.

    Word by Word: Cupboard-of door is open.

    Kapi (of the cupboard) has a long p.

  5. Pane raamat kappi.

    Put the book in the cupboard.

    Word by Word: Put book cupboard-into.

    Kappi (into the cupboard) has an overlong pp.

  6. Pood on kinni.

    The shop is closed.

    Word by Word: Shop is closed.

    Native words start with p, t or k, said without a puff of air.

Common Mistakes

  • Writing a long p where the form needs overlong pp.

    Pane raamat kapi.
    Pane raamat kappi.

    Kapi means "of the cupboard". To say "into the cupboard", you need the overlong form, spelled with pp.

  • Writing k for a short stop.

    See on ilus luku.
    See on ilus lugu.

    A short stop between vowels is written g. Luku is a form of lukk (lock), so the first sentence does not mean "a nice story".

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

b, d, g / p, t, kLevel 1Spelling B, D, G and P, T, K

Learn This First

The spelling of stops depends on the three lengths.

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Patterns that build on this one.