sfäärides

sfäärides is an Estonian term used to denote “in spheres.” It is the adessive plural form of the noun sfäär (sphere) and is used to indicate location within multiple spheres, whether literal geometric spheres or metaphorical domains. In everyday language and in academic prose, sfäärides can refer to distinct areas such as social, political, or professional realms, or to physical regions defined by boundaries.

Etymology and morphology: sfäär is a loanword that entered Estonian from German Sphäre, with cognates in several European languages. In Estonian the noun forms include sfäärid (nominative plural), sfääride (genitive plural), and sfäärides (adessive plural). The adessive form sfäärides is used to express “in the spheres,” for example when speaking about activity within certain domains.

Usage: The term is common in both scientific and everyday discourse to distinguish between different spheres of influence or activity. Examples include phrases such as elu sfäärides (in the spheres of life), teaduse ja kunsti sfäärides (in the spheres of science and art), or majandus- ja poliitikafunktsioonide sfäärides (in the spheres of economy and politics). Metaphorically, sfäärides can describe ranges of expertise, responsibility, or interest, as in discussions about collaboration across different spheres.

Relation to related concepts: sfäärid refers to spherical objects in geometry, while sfääride and related forms are used for grammatical purposes in Estonian to mark possessive, location, and other relationships in discourse. The term is part of a broader set of expressions that describe domains, fields, or areas of activity, often employed in analyses of society, culture, and institutions.