äärimäärin

äärimäärin is an Estonian adverb that translates to "extremely," "excessively," or "to excess." It describes a quantity or degree that surpasses what is considered normal, reasonable, or desirable. The word is often used to emphasize a strong degree of something, typically in a negative context, although it can also be used to describe an abundance.

The etymology of äärimäärin suggests a connection to the word "äär," meaning "edge" or "limit." Thus, "äärimäärin" literally implies going beyond the edge or limit. This inherent sense of exceeding boundaries contributes to its common usage when discussing overindulgence, excessive effort, or an overwhelming amount of something.

For example, one might say that someone is working "äärimäärin" if they are working far too many hours. Similarly, describing food as being prepared "äärimäärin" could mean it is overcooked or excessively seasoned. The term is versatile and can be applied to a wide range of situations where a state or action has reached an extreme level. While not always negative, it often carries a connotation of something being too much.