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Noun cases play a crucial role in indicating the grammatical function of a word within a sentence. Two of the most commonly used cases are the Omastav (genitive) and Osastav (partitive) cases. Understanding these cases is essential for mastering Estonian grammar.

Omastav Case (Genitive)

The Omastav case, or genitive, is primarily used to show possession, similar to the English possessive case. It answers the question "whose?" and is also used in various other contexts, such as indicating the object of certain verbs and prepositions.

Formation:

• For singular nouns, the genitive is typically formed by adding an -i or -a to the stem of the noun.
• For plural nouns, the genitive is formed by adding -de or -te to the stem.

Examples:

• Singular: raamat (book) → raamatu (of the book)
• Plural: raamatud (books) → raamatute (of the books)

Usage:

• Possession: See on minu sõbra raamat. (This is my friend's book.)
• Object of certain verbs: Ma ootan sinu vastust. (I am waiting for your answer.)

Osastav Case (Partitive)

The Osastav case, or partitive, is used to indicate partial objects, indefinite quantities, and the direct object of negative sentences. It answers the question "whom?" or "what?" in a partitive sense.

Formation:

• For singular nouns, the partitive is often formed by adding -t, -d, or -a to the stem.
• For plural nouns, the partitive is formed by adding -id or -sid to the stem.

Examples:

• Singular: raamat (book) → raamatut (some of the book)
• Plural: raamatud (books) → raamatuid (some books)

Usage:

• Partial objects: Ma söön leiba. (I am eating some bread.)
• Indefinite quantities: Mul on raha. (I have some money.)
• Direct object in negative sentences: Ma ei loe raamatut. (I am not reading the book.)

Key Differences

• Function: The genitive case is used for possession and certain verb objects, while the partitive case is used for partial objects, indefinite quantities, and negative sentences.
• Formation: The endings for forming these cases differ, with the genitive often using -i or -a for singular and -de or -te for plural, while the partitive uses -t, -d, or -a for singular and -id or -sid for plural.