Hilinemisel

Hilinemisel is an Estonian expression used to denote the circumstance of lateness. It is formed from the verb hilinema, meaning to be late, together with a nominalized form that expresses a conditional or circumstantial sense. In English, hilinemisel is commonly translated as “in case of delay” or “in the event of lateness.” The construction is widely found in formal writing, schedules, and service guidelines to specify procedures when a late arrival or delay occurs.

In practical use, hilinemisel introduces information about what should happen if a delay takes place. It often appears in notices, instructions, calendars, and announcements where punctuality cannot be guaranteed. For example, a notice might say, “Hilinemisel palun helistage,” which translates to “In case of delay, please call.” The phrase can be used with related forms such as hilinemise korral or hilinemise korral to express the same idea with slight stylistic variation.

Etymology and grammar notes: hilinemisel is derived from hilinemine (lateness) and the Estonian case/functional suffix that marks the context or condition. The construction is part of a broader set of expressions in Estonian that signal conditional circumstances related to time and punctuality. While it is common in written Estonian, especially in institutional or formal texts, it can sound formal in everyday speech.

Related terms include hilinemine (lateness) and phrases like viivituse korral (in case of a delay). Across contexts, hilinemisel serves to frame actions or expectations around the possibility of someone arriving late or a process being delayed.