Määrelisi

Määrelisi is a term used in Estonian grammar to denote adverbial modifiers. These are words or phrases that function similarly to adverbs in English, providing additional information about a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Määrelisi can express a variety of circumstances, such as time, place, manner, cause, or purpose.

In Estonian, määrelisi can be formed from various word classes. Nouns can be turned into adverbial forms, often by using specific case endings or postpositions. Adjectives can also be modified to function as adverbs, typically indicating how an action is performed. Even verbs can sometimes take on adverbial roles, particularly in participial constructions.

The function of määrelisi is crucial for enriching sentence meaning. They help to paint a more detailed picture of the action or state being described. For example, a sentence might simply state "He is running," but adding a määrelisi like "He is running quickly" or "He is running in the park" provides essential context about the manner or location of the action. Understanding määrelisi is therefore important for comprehending and constructing grammatically correct and nuanced Estonian sentences.