sünnist

Sünnist is a grammatical term in Estonian that refers to the genitive singular form of a noun meaning birth. It is used in expressions that establish a starting point in time from birth and is most commonly encountered in formal or biographical contexts.

Usage and meaning: The primary function of sünnist is to mark the origin or starting point of a state, condition, or time span from birth. The most familiar construction is with the preposition alates, giving alates sünnist, which translates to since birth or from birth. In broader usage, sünnist can appear in fixed phrases or clauses where the birth-related noun needs to be expressed in the genitive case.

Origin and form: The form sünnist derives from the Estonian root for birth. In Estonian grammar, when a noun related to birth is required in the genitive, the ending -nist is used. Sünnist is thus not a standalone lexical item but a case form of a birth-related noun used within a larger phrase.

Examples and register: In biographies, historical writing, demographic reports, and medical or developmental texts, sünnist serves to anchor statements to the period from birth. In everyday speech, speakers typically rely on the more explicit constructions like alates sünnist to convey the same meaning.

See also: Estonian grammar; genitive case; temporal expressions; alates.

References: Standard Estonian language grammars and dictionaries provide treatment of birth-related nouns and their genitive forms, including the expression alates sünnist.