Vocab: väljapaistev
outstanding, eminent, significantly better than others of its kind, remarkable in some respects
Building blocks
välja- - out, outward, forth
paiste- - derived from paistma (to appear, to seem)
v - an adjective-forming ending
Which means that the literal translation is something like “to appear out”. This derivation makes sense, it’s actually similar to English “out-standing”. Think of it this way:
someone or something who is “väljapaistev” (outstanding) does in fact “appear out” aka is being outwardly noticeable.
How to use it:
Describing someone's exceptional talent or ability:
“Ta on väljapaistev muusik.” (He/She is an outstanding musician.)
Highlighting a remarkable achievement:
“Eesti sportlased tegid Tokyo olümpiamängudel väljapaistva soorituse.” (Estonian athletes performed exceptionally at the Tokyo Olympics.)
Pointing out something visually prominent:
Loss on linna kõige väljapaistvam monument. (The castle is the city's most prominent monument.)
Examples
Mitmed väljapaistvad teadlased said oma töö eest tunnustust
Literally: “Several outstanding scientists got their work for recognition”
Idiomatically: “Several outstanding scientists were recognized for their work”
Mitmed - Pronoun - Nominative Pl, "Several"
väljapaistvad - Adjective - Nominative Pl, "outstanding"
teadlased - Noun - Nominative Pl, "scientists"
said - Verb - 3P Past Pl, "got"
oma - Pronoun - Genitive Sg, "their"
töö - Noun - Genitive Sg, "work"
eest - Adverb - Indeclineable, "for"
tunnustust - Noun - Partitive Sg, "recognition"