Kodanik

Kodanik is an Estonian noun meaning citizen, referring to a person who is a legally recognized member of a state or political community. It can denote any citizen, including those born as citizens and those who acquire citizenship through naturalization. In everyday use, kodanik may describe a person’s status in political discussion, law, and public administration. The plural form is kodanikud, and the word declines through standard Estonian case endings.

In legal and civic contexts, kodanik conveys both rights and responsibilities associated with membership in a state. This includes participation in elections, protection under the law, and duties such as obedience to laws. The term is common in official texts, media, education, and discourse about national identity and civic life. The concept may be contrasted with elanik (resident) or with the broader idea of belonging without citizenship.

Related terms and notes: A related concept is kodakondsus, which designates citizenship as a legal status or the act of acquiring it. While kodanik emphasizes the person, kodakondsus emphasizes the status itself. Kodanik is used across Estonian discourse for individuals as members of the nation, and is also found in multilingual contexts when translating “citizen” into Estonian.