Kaasaegsetes

Kaasaegsetes is the Estonian adjective form meaning “in contemporary times” or “in modern times.” It is the inessive plural form of the adjective kaasaegne and is used to describe plural nouns in the inessive case, indicating location within the modern era. It commonly appears in discourse about society, culture, technology, and institutions. Examples include kaasaegsetes ühiskondades (in contemporary societies), kaasaegsetes riikides (in modern countries), and kaasaegsetes koolides (in contemporary schools). The corresponding singular forms are kaasaegne (base form) and kaasaegses (inessive singular).

Nuanced use: kaasaegsetes often conveys a sense of current relevance or alignment with present standards, as opposed to merely newness. It is frequent in academic writing, journalism, and public discourse when characterizing practices, beliefs, or conditions characteristic of the present era. When referring to a single noun in the inessive, other forms are used, for example, kaasaegses tingimustes (in modern conditions) rather than kaasaegsetes tingimustes. In English, the phrase is typically rendered as “in contemporary times” or “in modern times,” depending on context.