Avatud

Avatud is an Estonian adjective meaning "open" or "opened." It is formed from the verb avama (to open) and functions as the past passive participle in many contexts. The word can describe physical openness, accessibility, or a state of being unclosed, and it is widely used in both concrete and abstract senses.

In usage, avatud can modify nouns directly, as in avatud uks (an open door) or avatud pood (an open store). In predicative position, it often appears with the verb olema (to be), as in uks on avatud (the door is open) or poes on avatud tunnid (the shop is open hours). It is also common in public signage and official communication, for example, Avatud kell 9–17 (Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.).

Beyond physical openness, avatud is used for concepts relating to access and transparency. Phrases such as avatud andmed (open data), avatud lähtekood (open source), and avatud valitsemine or avatud ühiskond (open society) reflect its application in information policy, technology, and governance. The term is central to discussions about transparency, democratic participation, and digital government in Estonian discourse.

See also: avatud lähtekood, avatud andmed, avatud ühiskond. The word exemplifies how Estonian expresses openness as a state, a condition of accessibility, and a principle in technology and governance.