Elluviimisena

Elluviimisena is an Estonian linguistic term describing a construction that marks someone as a survivor, roughly translating to “as a survivor” in English. The form is derived from the noun elluviimine (the act of surviving) and uses the suffix -sena to create a phrase meaning “in the capacity of” or “in the role of” a survivor. In linguistic descriptions, elluviimisena is treated as a nominally derived expression that can function as a predicative complement or as an adjunct indicating a person’s status following an event. It is most commonly found in formal, historical, or literary contexts, such as memoirs, survivor testimonies, or commemorative writing, where emphasis is placed on the subject’s surviving status rather than on actions they took.

Grammatical notes: The exact placement and compatibility of elluviimisena can vary with sentence structure; it typically follows a linking element or appears in predicative position, aligning with broader Estonian grammar of role- and status-marking constructions. It forms part of a broader family of -na/-ina forms used to express roles, identities, or states.

See also: Estonian grammar; suffixes; elluviimine; role marking.