Külastuse

Külastuse is the genitive form of the Estonian noun külastus, which denotes the act or occasion of visiting. The basic sense is a visit to a person, a place, or an institution, and the term is used in both everyday language and more formal contexts.

In practical use, külastus encompasses visits to relatives or friends, as well as visits to institutions such as hospitals, care homes, prisons, or museums. In institutions, the concept is often tied to külastuse aeg (visiting hours) and rules that govern who may visit, when, and under what conditions. Visiting hours may be restricted or scheduled to protect privacy, safety, or operational needs.

In administrative and legal contexts, külastuse-related phrases appear in discussions about rights and procedures. For example, külastuse õigus or külastusõigus refers to the right to receive visitors, which may be addressed in family law, guardianship, or custody arrangements, as well as in court orders or institutional policies. Organizations may publish külastusreeglid (visitation rules) outlining requirements for visitors to comply with security, health, or etiquette standards.

Linguistically, külastuse is the genitive form used to connect the concept of the visit with other words, indicating possession or relation (for example, külastuse aeg = the time of the visit). Related forms include külastus (nominative singular) and külastused (nominative plural). The term is widely understood in Estonian contexts dealing with personal, institutional, or legal visits.