Eelistust

Eelistust is an Estonian noun meaning a preference or a chosen option among alternatives, based on taste, need, or policy. It can refer to a personal inclination, such as a preferred drink or route, as well as to a formally stated choice in contexts like procurement, planning, or software settings. The term emphasizes selection and prioritization rather than mere existence of options.

The word is derived from the verb eelistama, meaning to prefer or elect, with the abstract noun suffix -us. In standard Estonian, the singular form is eelistus, with the genitive eelistuse and the partitive eelistust. Plural nominative is eelistused, and the genitive plural is eelistuste. The sense of eelistus encompasses both personal preference and a recommended or designated option within a system or process.

Usage and examples vary by context. For personal preference: “Minu eelistus on tee.” (My preference is tea.) In discourse about choices or policies: “Ettevõtte eelistused looduskaitse valdkonnas määravad projektide prioriteedid.” (The company’s preferences in the field of nature conservation determine project priorities.) In technology and user interfaces: “Kasutaja eelistused” refers to user-configured settings, such as language or display options. Websites may also record “küpsiste eelistused” as part of consent and customization.

See also: eelistamine (the act of preferring), valik (choice), eelistused (plural). Eelistust remains a flexible term widely used in everyday language, governance, and technology to denote preferred options or settings.