Erilisel

Erilisel is the adessive singular form of the Estonian adjective eriline, meaning “special” or “distinctive.” The form is used when the noun it modifies is in the adessive case, signalling a location, condition, or manner related to that noun. As with other Estonian adjectives, erilisel reflects the case and number of the noun it accompanies.

Usage and meaning: In Estonian, adjectives decline to agree with the noun in case and number. The adessive singular erilisel is common in phrases that describe how something is done or under what circumstances it occurs. Typical collocations include erilisel viisil (in a special way), erilisel juhul (in a special case), and erilisel tasemel (at a special level).

Examples:

- Ta vastas erilisel viisil. (He answered in a special way.)

- Erilisel juhul tuleb järgida juhiseid. (In a special case, the instructions must be followed.)

- Projekt oli läbi viidud erilisel tasemel. (The project was carried out at a special level.)

Grammar notes: Adessive forms are part of standard Estonian adjective inflection. The base stem eriline changes to erilisel in the adessive singular; corresponding forms exist for other cases and numbers (erilise, erilisest, erilistes, etc.). The choice of form depends on the noun it modifies.

Etymology: Erilisel comes from eriline, which itself derives from erinev “different, distinct,” related to other Finno-Ugric roots meaning separation or distinction.

See also: Estonian grammar, Adessive case, Estonian adjectives.

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