järgi

Järgi is an Estonian word that functions as a postposition or adverb with meanings related to sequence, following, and accordance. The primary sense is to indicate something that comes after another item or event, or to refer to the manner or standard by which something is done.

Etymology and usage notes. The form derives from the root järg-, meaning next or following, and it appears in combinations and fixed phrases across Standard Estonian. In many formal or legal contexts, järgi is used after a noun in the genitive to express “according to” or “in accordance with,” as in Seaduse järgi, meaning “according to the law.” In this use, järgi governs the noun’s genitive form and appears in written or official language.

In more general contexts, järgi also conveys the idea of sequence or order—something that follows another item or event. It can be part of phrases that emphasize subsequent actions or events, though in everyday speech it is more common to rely on synonyms like pärast (“after”).

Limitations and related terms. Järgi is closely related to other Estonian forms built on the same root, such as järgneva (the following) or järg (the next/following). It does not function as a verb and is not typically used standalone outside idiomatic or fixed expressions.

See also: Estonian language, Estonian grammar, postposition, seadus, järgneva.