Join Estonian-Canadian sisters Kaili and Kaarin—moms of young kids and co-founders of Sõnad: Esto Words, a learning resource company—as they share creative ideas and heartfelt reflections on staying connected to their roots.
In a world where traditions risk fading, they explore meaningful ways to keep the Estonian spirit thriving. Whether you’re Estonian by heritage, reconnecting with your roots, or discovering the culture through family or curiosity, their insights inspire fresh ways to celebrate and cultivate a sense of pride and belonging.
We believe that within each language lies a psyche, a personality – a filter through which a people view the world.
As Canadian-Estonian sisters, we created our project, Sõnad: Esto Words, to keep the Estonian language and culture alive in the diaspora. We are always learning new words, and what Estonian does best is charming compound words (liitsõnad) – terms that literally combine two ideas to express something deeply poetic or specific.
Our current favourite is päikesejänku (sun + bunny) – a sunbeam or little patch of sunlight, especially one dancing on the floor.
Beyond sunbeams, these compound words paint vivid pictures in just a few syllables:
- Lepatriinu (alder tree + Triinu) – Ladybug. A fun folk term using “Triinu” as a cute name for the ladybug.
- Südamesõber (heart + friend) – A very close friend, almost a soulmate.
- Hingesugulane (soul + relative) – Soulmate or kindred spirit.
- Õnnelaps (luck + child) – Someone naturally lucky.
- Kaisukaru (hug + bear) – Teddy bear (“cuddle bear”).
- Unenägu (dream + vision) – A dream while sleeping.
- Linnutee (bird + road) – The Milky Way.
- Tuulevaikus (wind + silence) – Calm weather; literally “the silence of the wind.”
- Kuupaisteline (moon + shining) – Moonlit.
- Päikeselaps (sun + child) – A sunny, optimistic child.
- Õhtupuna (evening + blush) – Sunset glow.
- Koidukuma (dawn + glow) – Dawn light.
- Lumevaikus (snow + silence) – The muffled quiet after snowfall.
- Tuulelaul (wind + song) – The sound of the breeze whistling, howling or rustling.
- Kilpkonn (shield + frog) – Turtle or tortoise.
And a very special liitsõna for us as our grandmother (vanaema) was named Eha:
- Ehaema (dusk + mother) – A nocturnal spirit or elf also known as Mother Twilight.
We are constantly finding new gems for our project, Sõnad: Esto Words. Follow us @estowords on social media to see our favourite words along with their image depictions, and glimpses into our lives as Estonian Canadians.
Let’s keep the Estonian spirit alive, one word at a time.
