lisasõnast

Lisasõnast is an Estonian linguistic concept referring to an additional word or phrase that is not strictly necessary for the basic meaning of a sentence but serves to enhance or clarify it. It can be thought of as a form of elaboration or stylistic embellishment. These additions often provide extra detail, nuance, or emphasis.

For example, in a sentence like "Ta jooksis kiiresti" (He ran quickly), adding "väga" (very) to create "Ta jooksis väga kiiresti" (He ran very quickly) introduces a lisasõnast. The core meaning of running quickly is present without "väga," but the lisasõnast intensifies the speed.

Lisasõnast can take various forms, including adverbs, adjectives, prepositional phrases, or even subordinate clauses. Their function is not always purely informational; they can also contribute to the tone, mood, or overall impression of the text. Identifying lisasõnast requires understanding the fundamental meaning of the sentence and recognizing elements that go beyond that core. Their presence is common in both spoken and written Estonian and is a natural part of expressing complex thoughts and adding descriptive richness.