mõnevõrra

Mõnevõrra is an Estonian adverb meaning “to some extent,” “somewhat,” or “fairly.” It is used to indicate a partial degree of a quality, action, or circumstance, helping to soften statements or valuations without negating them outright.

Etymology and usage context: Mõnevõrra is formed from mõne (genitive of mõni) meaning “some” and võrra meaning “to an extent” or “by that amount.” The combination conveys the idea of a measured degree. The word is relatively neutral and common in both written and spoken Estonian, slightly more formal than everyday synonyms like veidi or natuke.

Typical usage: Mõnevõrra usually precedes the word it modifies, most often an adjective or a participle. For example: “See on mõnevõrra keerulisem kui eelmisel korral” (This is somewhat more complicated than last time) and “Ta on mõnevõrra rahulikum” (He is somewhat calmer). It can also modify a verb phrase, as in “Ta paraneb mõnevõrra” (He is improving somewhat).

Nuances and synonyms: Compared with veidi or natuke, mõnevõrra carries a slightly more formal or measured tone and is common in journalism, academic writing, and formal speech. It expresses a moderate degree without committing to a strong judgment. Related expressions include veidi, natuke, and piiratud määral (to a limited extent).