sõnumis

Sõnumis is the inessive case form of the Estonian noun sõnum, meaning “in the message.” It functions to indicate location or content that exists inside a message, document, or communication, such as an email, SMS, or written notice. In usage, sõnumis answers questions like where something is written or found and can introduce information embedded in the message.

In Estonian grammar, nouns are declined for case, number, and definiteness. The inessive singular form of sõnum is sõnumis, used when referring to a single message. The corresponding plural form for inessive, as in expressions like “in the messages,” is sõnumites. These forms enable speakers to describe the relationship between content and its container (the message) without repeating full phrases.

Common uses of sõnumis include describing content that is written or stated within a message. For example, one might say, “Sõnumis on täpsustatud kuupäev,” meaning that the date has been specified in the message, or “Sõnumis on teave osalejate kohta,” indicating that information about participants is contained in the message. The term is primarily a locative reference and is used in everyday, formal, and written Estonian to specify where information resides.

The concept reflects broader Estonian syntax in which location and state are conveyed through case forms rather than prepositional phrases alone. Sõnumis therefore provides a concise way to point to the content contained within a communication, making it a practical and common element in informative writing and dialogue. See also: sõnum, Estonian grammar, inflection.