Harvemini

Harvemini is an Estonian adverb that means “more rarely” or “less often.” It is used to express a lower frequency of an action or event in comparison to another time, situation, or reference point. The word typically appears in sentences comparing how often something occurs, often in constructions with kui meaning “than,” or in statements about changes over time.

Usage and examples

Harvemini is found in both spoken and written Estonian. It modifies verbs or clauses to indicate reduced frequency. Examples include: “Ta külastab linna harvemini kui varem” (He visits the town less often than before) and “Nendel aastatel esineb haigus harvemini” (In these years the disease occurs less frequently). The form is versatile and can appear with various contexts that describe timing, routines, or occurrences.

Etymology and form

Harvemini is built from the base meaning of rarity and is used as a degree adverb to express relative frequency. In Estonian, adverbs of this kind are formed to indicate intensity or frequency, and harvemini specifically conveys a decrease in how often something happens. It can appear alongside other frequency expressions to clarify comparison.

Notes

Harvemini is a neutral, descriptive term suitable for both everyday speech and formal writing when describing changes in how often events occur. It is part of a set of frequency-related words in Estonian that allows speakers to discuss temporal patterns and trends with precision.