väheselt

väheselt is an Estonian adverb that translates to "little," "scarcely," "hardly," or "barely" in English. It is used to indicate a small quantity, a limited extent, or a low degree of something. The adverb is derived from the adjective "vähene," meaning "little" or "few."

When used to describe quantity, väheselt can refer to a small amount of something tangible or intangible. For example, one might say "mul on väheselt raha" which means "I have little money." In a similar vein, it can express scarcity, such as "kaupa on väheselt" meaning "there is little merchandise" or "stock is scarce."

väheselt also functions to express a limited degree or intensity. It can indicate that something is happening or has happened to a small extent or with difficulty. For instance, "ta väheselt naeratas" means "he/she smiled little" or "he/she barely smiled." It can also be used to denote that something is almost not happening, as in "ma väheselt usun seda" which translates to "I scarcely believe that" or "I hardly believe that."

The adverb is a common element in everyday Estonian speech and writing, contributing to the nuanced expression of quantity and degree. Its usage is straightforward, often appearing before the verb or adjective it modifies. Context typically clarifies the precise meaning of väheselt.