Jalgsi

Jalgsi is an Estonian adverb meaning “on foot” or “by walking.” It describes the manner in which someone travels and is used to indicate movement without a vehicle. In everyday language it commonly accompanies verbs of motion, for example: “Ta läks kooli jalgsi” (He walked to school) or simply “Ta läks jalgsi.”

Etymology and usage notes: the word is formed from the noun jalg (foot) with an adverbial suffix that yields a meaning related to using the foot for locomotion. As a grammatical form, jalgsi functions as an adverb of manner and can also appear in noun phrases such as “jalgsi liikumine” (walking movement) or in contrastive clauses like “jalgratta või auto asemel – jalgsi.”

Context and relevance: jalgsi is a basic category in everyday language and in transport and urban planning. Walking is recognized as a major mode of transport alongside driving and public transit, with considerations for safety, accessibility, and infrastructure such as kõnnitee (sidewalk) and pedestrian crossings. In statistics and policy discussions, jalgsi is analyzed in terms of walking trips, walkability, and pedestrian friendliness of a city. Common related terms include jalakäija (pedestrian) and kõnnitee or jalakäigu tee (paths designed for pedestrians). Walking speeds typically average around 4 to 5 kilometers per hour for adults, though actual speeds vary by age, terrain, and conditions.