esmakordselt

Esmakordselt is an Estonian adverb meaning “for the first time.” It is used to indicate that an event or action occurs for the first time in a given context, such as in news reporting, historical descriptions, or scientific accounts.

Etymology and form: The term is formed from esma-, meaning “first,” combined with kord, meaning “time” or “occurrence,” plus the adverbial suffix -lt. It is a standard part of Modern Estonian and is widely understood across different registers of language.

Usage: Esmakordselt is often employed to mark novelty or inaugural circumstances. It appears in statements like, for example, “Esmakordselt osales ta olümpiamängudel” (He participated in the Olympic Games for the first time). It can also be used in historical summaries, scientific reports, and journalism to highlight a new first in a sequence of events.

Related terms and nuance: A closely related phrase is “esimest korda,” which also means “for the first time” but is used as a more general temporal expression without the emphasis on a single landmark occurrence that “esmakordselt” conveys. The choice between forms can affect the focus on the novelty or the timing of the event in Estonian prose.

See also: Estonian grammar notes on adverb formation; examples of using esmakordselt in journalistic writing; comparison with esimest korda.