Alguses

Alguses is a commonly used Estonian adverb meaning "in the beginning" or "at the outset." It marks the initial point in time of a event, a narrative, or a process, and is frequently used to introduce conditions at the start of a description or argument.

Grammatical note: Alguses is formed from the noun algus (start, origin) and functions as a temporal adverb. It is typically used to set the frame of a sentence about what happened at the outset, often preceding a clause, as in "Alguses oli rahu" (in the beginning there was peace). In modern Estonian it is common in both formal and informal language and can be paired with verbs of becoming or change to describe early phases.

Usage: In literature, journalism and speech, alguses helps establish chronology. It can introduce a story's opening scene, the initial conditions of a project, or the early steps in a process. It is also used in retrospective or reflective narration to contrast beginnings with outcomes.

Examples: Alguses oli kõik rahulik. Alguses tundus projekt lootusetu, kuid varsti muutus see.

Related terms: algus (start), alustada (to begin), algul (initially).