kirjendama

Kirjendama is an Estonian verb meaning to inscribe or engrave text on a surface, usually in a durable way. The action involves carving or etching letters into materials such as stone, metal, wood, or ceramic, and it is commonly used when creating inscriptions on monuments, markers, or seals. In archaeology and epigraphy, the term describes the act of recording names, dates, dedications, or other inscriptions on artifacts or memorials.

The word is formed from kirja (letter, writing) combined with the -ndama suffix that marks action related to the root meaning. The term is closely related to the general verb kirjutama (to write) but emphasizes the inscription itself rather than writing in general.

Usage notes: Kirjendama is used for inscriptions intended to endure over time, and in descriptions of artifacts or commemorative objects. It can also appear in figurative contexts to denote something that is permanently recorded.

Example: Ta kirjendas nime kivile.

See also: epigraphy, inscription, engraving.