Kuuldav

Kuuldav is an Estonian adjective meaning “audible” or “able to be heard.” It describes sounds, voices, signals, or other phenomena that can be perceived by listening. The term is used in everyday language as well as in descriptive or scientific contexts to indicate that something is not silent.

Etymology and morphology: kuuldav is formed with the participial suffix -dav from a root related to hear. As an attributive adjective, it agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case, and it can appear in different declined forms such as kuuldava, kuuldava, or kuuldavat depending on grammatical role. Its semantic field centers on perceptibility by hearing rather than on the act of hearing itself.

Usage: In ordinary speech, kuuldav commonly modifies nouns for sounds, voices, or signals, for example kuuldav heli (an audible sound) or kuuldav hääl (an audible voice). It is also used in journalism, science, and technical writing to describe phenomena like background noise or distant noises that are detectable by the ear. The word carries a neutral connotation and does not imply quality beyond perceptibility.

Relation to related terms: Kuuldav is contrasted with silent or inaudible terms, such as vaikne (quiet) or vaimne, depending on context. It can be used descriptively in both concrete and figurative senses, including literary descriptions of atmosphere or tension conveyed through sound.

See also: Estonian adjectives, Estonian phonology, sensory descriptors.