Kahjuga

Kahjuga is an Estonian phrase that conveys the idea of something being damaged or having incurred harm. It is formed from the noun kahju, meaning damage or loss, combined with the comitative suffix -ga, producing a construction that can be translated as “with damage” or “damaged.” In practice, kahjuga functions as a modifier that marks the condition of a noun.

Usage and context: Kahjuga is commonly found in reporting, inventories, insurance documents, and disaster-response communications to indicate that an item or asset is not in its pristine state. It tends to describe physical objects such as buildings, vehicles, or equipment, but can also be used in broader contexts to flag damaged status in lists or assessments. The construction is typically placed before the noun it describes (for example, kahjuga auto = damaged car), and it forms part of a larger noun phrase that agrees with case and number in Estonian grammar.

Examples and nuance: Phrases such as kahjuga hoone (damaged building) or kahjuga laev (damaged ship) illustrate how kahjuga signals harm to the item. The term emphasizes condition rather than the cause of damage, which is usually stated elsewhere in the text (for example, damages caused by a storm, accident, or wear over time). In insurance and official reports, kahjuga items are prioritized for inspection, repair, or compensation.

See also: kahju, kahjustus, kahjustatud.