Väljapoole

Väljapoole is an Estonian adverb meaning toward the outside, outwardly, or to the exterior. It describes direction, orientation, or perspective directed away from the interior or center. The word can modify verbs, adjectives, or nouns in ways that emphasize exterior direction or outward appearance.

Etymology and form: Väljapoole is a fixed compound formed from the elements välja or välja (out) and poole (toward/side). It is commonly written as a single word in standard Estonian and is used across everyday language as well as in technical or architectural terminology. The expression is closely related to phrases such as väljapoole suunatud, meaning outward-facing, and as a whole it functions as a directional particle in speech.

Usage and examples: In spoken and written Estonian, väljapoole frequently appears with verbs of movement or orientation. For example, "Uks avanes väljapoole" means the door opened outward. Another example is "Aknad on väljapoole suunatud," describing windows that are oriented toward the exterior. The term is also used in design and engineering contexts to denote outward-facing features or outward direction of components.

Relation to other terms: Väljapoole contrasts with inward-oriented expressions such as sissepoole or sisemiselt and with phrases describing interior or internal directions. It is part of a broader set of directional terms in Estonian that describe spatial relations and outward versus inward perspectives.

See also: väljapoole suunatud, väljapool, sissepoole.