põhivahendina

Põhivahendina is Estonian aphrase used to indicate that something is used as the main instrument or primary means to achieve a goal. The word is formed from põhivahend, meaning the main instrument or means, with the suffix -ina, which marks a role or state comparable to “as” or “in the capacity of.” The construction is common in formal and policy-oriented texts, especially in economics, public administration, finance, and law, where precise description of which tool drives a policy or project is important.

In practice, põhivahendina describes the principal tool chosen to implement a measure or strategy. It often appears in statements about fiscal policy, investment plans, subsidies, or regulatory instruments designated as the primary means of achieving objectives. Examples include: Riigi majanduse elavdamise põhivahendina nähakse investeeringuid; Ühiskondlikku heaolu suurendavad investeeringud on põhivahendina määratud peamiseks arengu mehhanismiks. The expression signals priority and functional role, rather than a mere description of one component among many.

Grammatical notes: the suffix -ina marks the role or state of something “as” a certain tool. Põhivahendina is typically used with verbs or predicates that describe usage or function, such as kasutatakse, määratletakse, or nähakse. It remains a formal, technical term and is most frequent in official documents, policy briefs, and analytical writing.