miks

Why (Miks)

Level 1

miks means why. The usual answer starts with sest (because): Miks sa naerad? – Sest see on naljakas. (Why are you laughing? – Because it is funny.)

How It Works

miks asks for a reason or a cause.

Answering

  • Sest ... – Because ...: Sest ma olen väsinud. (Because I am tired.)
  • Sellepärast, et ... – Because ... (a little more formal)
  • A short reason is fine too: Miks sa ei tule? – Pole aega. (Why aren't you coming? – No time.)

Negative questions
In a negative question the verb uses the bare negative form, with no personal ending: Miks sa ei tule?, Miks te ei räägi?

Good to know

  • Miks mitte? means "Why not?"
  • The longer words millepärast and mispärast also mean "why", but miks is by far the most common.

Examples (6)

  1. Miks sa naerad? – Sest see on naljakas.

    Why are you laughing? – Because it is funny.

    Word by Word: why you laugh – because this is funny

  2. Miks sa ei tule?

    Why aren't you coming?

    Word by Word: why you not come

  3. Miks pood kinni on?

    Why is the shop closed?

    Word by Word: why shop closed is

  4. Miks sa eesti keelt õpid? – Sest mu abikaasa on eestlane.

    Why are you learning Estonian? – Because my spouse is Estonian.

    Word by Word: why you Estonian language(PART) learn – because my spouse is Estonian

  5. Miks see nii kallis on?

    Why is this so expensive?

    Word by Word: why this so expensive is

  6. Miks mitte?

    Why not?

    Word by Word: why not

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the personal ending after ei in a negative why-question.

    Miks sa ei tuled?
    Miks sa ei tule?

    After ei the verb has no personal ending, whoever the subject is.

How It Connects

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

miksLevel 1Why (Miks)

Words in This Pattern

miks