Learn Estonian online.
Free, structured, effective.
Estly is the free Estonian vocabulary platform built for expats, Russian speakers, and anyone preparing for the A2, B1, or B2 language exam. 12,000+ words. 6 exercise types. Certificates included.
Why learn Estonian?
Residency & citizenship
Passing the B1 state language exam is required for Estonian permanent residency and citizenship applications. The A2 exam is needed for temporary residency renewal.
Public sector employment
Many public-sector and government jobs in Estonia require B1 or B2 proficiency. Estonian language skills directly expand your career opportunities in the country.
Integration & daily life
Estonian is the official language of Estonia. Speaking it opens conversations, builds community connections, and makes everyday life — from shops to services — significantly easier.
Linguistic challenge
With 14 grammatical cases and a unique Finno-Ugric structure, Estonian is a genuinely interesting language to learn. There is nothing else quite like it in Europe.
Free Estonian vocabulary at every CEFR level
Estly covers the full path from absolute beginner to advanced. Choose your level to start — or study all of them.
Basic greetings, numbers, everyday objects, simple verbs
Daily routines, shopping, transport, family, time expressions
Work, society, health, integration exam vocabulary
Abstract concepts, formal register, academic vocabulary
Nuanced expression, professional language, complex grammar contexts
The free Estonian learning method that actually works
Every word goes through six stages. Skipping stages skips retention — Estly makes sure each word sticks before moving on.
- Flashcards — meet the word and its IPA pronunciation for the first time
- Match Pairs — connect the Estonian word to its translation
- Multiple Choice — pick the right translation from four options
- Fill the Blank — complete the missing letter to sharpen spelling
- Listen & Spell — hear the word spoken aloud and type it
- Type the Word — write it from memory — the final proof it's locked in
Estly vs. other Estonian learning apps
Most language apps treat Estonian as an afterthought. Estly was built specifically for it.
| Feature | Estly.ee | Other apps |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free forever | Freemium / subscription |
| Estonian-specific | ✓ Built only for Estonian | Generic multi-language |
| Exam preparation | ✓ A2, B1, B2 exam pages | Rarely covers state exams |
| Native language support | 6 languages incl. Russian | Usually English only |
| Special characters | ✓ Works without ä/õ/ö/ü | Requires exact typing |
| Certificates | ✓ Free CEFR certificates | Paid or unavailable |
| Word count | 12,000+ curated words | Variable, often fewer |
Free Estonian exam preparation
The Estonian state language proficiency exam (tasemeeksam) is the official benchmark for integration, residency, and employment. Estly covers the vocabulary required at each exam level — and provides dedicated prep pages with exam dates, registration info, and what each test covers.
Frequently asked questions about learning Estonian
Can I learn Estonian for free?
Yes. Estly.ee is completely free — no subscription, no premium tier, no paywall. Vocabulary games, listening exercises, the dictionary, and CEFR certificates are all free forever.
How long does it take to learn Estonian?
With 30 minutes of daily study, most learners reach A2 in 3–6 months and B1 in 12–18 months. Estonian is harder than Latin languages but easier than Hungarian or Finnish — consistent daily practice is the biggest factor.
What is the best way to learn Estonian vocabulary?
Spaced repetition with multiple exercise types gives the best retention. Estly's 6-stage method reinforces each word through flashcards, matching, choice, spelling, listening, and free recall — the same word six different ways before it's considered learned.
Is Estonian hard to learn for English speakers?
Estonian is a Category III language — harder than French or Spanish, but the phonetic spelling (you read what you write) makes it more consistent than English. Vocabulary is the most accessible entry point for beginners.
Does Estly work without typing Estonian special characters?
Yes. The dictionary and search accept plain Latin letters — type o and Estly finds words with õ or ö, type a and it finds ä. During typing exercises, special character buttons are provided on screen.
What languages can I use to learn Estonian?
Estly provides translations in English, Russian, Finnish, German, Chinese, and Japanese — covering the main native languages of people learning Estonian in Estonia and abroad.
Start learning Estonian today — it's free
No account required to begin. Pick your level, choose your native language, and start your first session in under a minute.