äsja

Estonian

Etymology

Introduced into the standard language from South Estonian dialects: ä(ä)sä and specifically äisä, äisa with metathesis (compare Võro ääsäq, äisäq). This introduction happened relatively recently, likely at the beginning of the 20th century, as Wiedemann 1869 still considers this word dialectal. Related to Finnish äsken, Ludian äskei and Veps eskai.

According to Aikio, the term goes back to Proto-Finnic *äisäk and ultimately Proto-Uralic *äńćä (“recently”). As such, cognates would also include Moksha эзьке (eźke) and Eastern Mari иже (iže).

The definition is a semantic loan from Finnish äsken.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈæsjɑ/, [ˈæsʲjɑ̈]
• Rhymes: -æsjɑ
• Hyphenation: äs‧ja

Adverb

äsja (not comparable)

1. just now, just, recently

   Synonyms: alles, just, vast

Derived terms

• äsjane

 

References

• äsja in Sõnaveeb (Eesti Keele Instituut)
• “äsja”, in [EKSS] Eesti keele seletav sõnaraamat [Descriptive Dictionary of the Estonian Language] (in Estonian) (online version), Tallinn: Eesti Keele Sihtasutus (Estonian Language Foundation), 2009