välismaal

Välismaal is an Estonian adverb meaning “abroad” or “in foreign countries.” It denotes a location outside Estonia or one’s homeland and is used to describe actions performed away from home, such as living, studying, or working abroad.

In everyday language välismaal is used with verbs of position, as in ta elab välismaal (he lives abroad). For movement toward foreign lands, Estonian commonly uses the illative form välismaale: minna välismaale tööle (to go abroad to work). The related noun välismaa means a foreign country, while välismaalane means a foreigner. The term välismaal is neutral and suitable for both informal and formal contexts.

Historically and culturally, the concept covers study abroad, emigration, and international work. In contemporary usage, välismaal appears in media, education, and policy discussions about international mobility and cross-border activities. The word is part of a broader family of terms built with the prefix välis-, which denotes external or foreign, and the noun maa (land, country).