Opastavasti

Opastavasti is an Estonian adverb that denotes doing something in an instructive or didactic manner, typically with the aim of teaching or guiding the learner. It is derived from the noun opas, meaning guide or manual, and carries the sense of relating to instruction and education. The form opastav (adjective) means didactic or instructional, and opastavasti is the corresponding adverb.

In usage, opastavasti describes the manner of presenting information, such as a lecture, explanation, or text that emphasizes teaching steps or underlying concepts. The register is generally formal; in everyday speech the term is less common, and speakers might opt for simpler phrases like 'selgelt' (clearly) or 'õpetlikult' (instructionally) depending on context. The connotation can be neutral or slightly critical if the delivery becomes perceived as overly didactic.

Variant and related terms include opastav (didactic/instructional) and the adverb opastavalt, which can be used in similar contexts when referring to guidance in accordance with a manual or established rules. The choice between opastavasti and opastavalt can depend on the precise sense: didactic emphasis versus instructionfulness within a protocol.

See also: didactics, pedagogy, instructional design.