Näidetena

Näidetena is a term used in Estonian to introduce examples or illustrative cases in writing and speech. It functions as a connective phrase meaning “as examples” or “for example(s)” and is commonly found in formal, academic, and journalistic contexts. The form is typically capitalized at the beginning of a sentence when used as a sentence-initial expression.

Etymology and form: Näide means “example” in Estonian. The suffix -na is used to form expressions that denote role or function, yielding a phrase that translates roughly to “as an example” or “in the role of an example.” The plural or singular sense is determined by the surrounding context, and the base word remains näide while the -na suffix provides the programmatic meaning of exemplification.

Usage: In practice, näidetena introduces a set of illustrations or supporting cases. It is often placed before a clause that lists or describes examples. Typical constructions include: Näidetena võib tuua järgmised olukorrad; Näidetena esitatakse kolm juhtumit. The phrase is particularly common in essays, reports, and analyses, where authors want to frame concrete instances to support a point while maintaining a formal tone. It can be stylistically interchangeable with other discourse markers such as näiteks, kuid näidetena emphasizes the demonstrative, example-driven mode of argument.

See also: näide; näidetena is part of standard Estonian discourse markers used to structure argumentation and evidence in expository writing.