eripärane

Eripärane is an Estonian adjective used to describe something that has distinctive or unusual characteristics. It indicates that a feature or quality sets the subject apart from what is typical or expected. The prefix eri- means "different" or "distinct," and the suffix -pärane conveys the sense of being characteristic or typical of. Together, eripärane denotes having distinctive characteristics rather than making a value judgment about good or bad.

The term is common in everyday language as well as in descriptive writing, journalism, and academic prose. Its nuance can be neutral or slightly evaluative, depending on context and tone. For example, one might speak of eripärane lõhn (a distinctive smell), eripärane käitumine (peculiar behavior), or eripärane disain (a distinctive design). It can describe concrete attributes, such as maitse, lõhn, vorm, või lähenemine, as well as broader phenomena.

In usage, eripärane often refers to features that are noteworthy precisely because they deviate from the ordinary or expected. It is closely related to eriline (special) and omapärane (characteristic in a more intrinsic or individual sense). In some contexts, eripärane can carry a subjective emphasis, drawing attention to individuality or oddity.

See also: eriline, omapärane, iseloomulik.