Kuulatav

Kuulatav is an Estonian adjective meaning capable of being heard or audible. It is formed from the verbal root kuul- (to hear) with the attributive suffix -atav, yielding a word that describes something that can be perceived by listening. The term is used in everyday language as well as in technical or descriptive writing to refer to sounds, signals, or messages that can be heard.

Usage and context: Kuulatav describes auditory perceptibility. In general writing it can refer to any sound or auditory signal that reaches the listener. In more technical contexts, it may be used to specify that a particular sound or signal lies within the range of human hearing or has been rendered audible for analysis or perception.

Grammar: Kuulatav functions as a standard Estonian attributive adjective and agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case. For example: kuulatav heli (an audible sound) and kuulatavad helid (audible sounds). The word declines like other adjectives to fit different grammatical cases and definiteness of the noun it modifies.

Etymology: The word derives from the root kuul- related to hearing, combined with the suffix -atav to form an adjective indicating possibility or capability.

See also: related terms in Estonian describing hearing and perception, and general discussions of auditory perception in language.