Kõrva

Kõrva is the genitive singular form of the Estonian noun kõrv, which means ear. As a grammatical form, kõrva appears in sentences to express possession or relation to the ear, and it is found in various compound expressions where the noun is linked to another element.

Etymology and cognates: The word kõrv is native to Estonian and belongs to the Finnic branch of the Uralic language family. It has cognates in related languages, notably Finnish korva, reflecting common ancestral roots for the ear as a body part.

Grammatical notes: In standard Estonian, kõrva is used when the noun is in its genitive singular form. This form is contrasted with kõrv, the nominative singular, and with other case forms such as inessive or elative. The genitive form commonly appears in phrases indicating possession, association, or relational meaning, and it can appear in compound terms that describe attributes or actions related to the ear.

Usage context: The term is primarily used in linguistic, anatomical, and everyday language when referring to the ear in a possessive or relational sense. It is not a separate lexical entry on its own in English-language contexts, but it functions as a key inflected form within Estonian grammar.

See also: kõrv, Estonian noun for ear; korva, Finnish cognate for ear.