Kvartaal

Kvartaal is a noun used in Estonian and several other languages to denote a quarter, either of a calendar year or of a city's layout. In the calendar sense, a kvartaal is a three-month interval; the year is typically divided into four kvartaal (Q1–Q4). Kvartaal data underlie quarterly reports, budgeting cycles, and the presentation of economic indicators such as GDP, inflation, and employment. In corporate and financial reporting, kvartaal results summarize performance for the preceding three-month period.

In urban planning and geography, kvartaal can refer to a quarter or district of a city—a defined subdivision used for planning, administration, or development. The term appears in planning documents and real estate contexts to designate a specific city quarter or block group.

Etymology: The term originates from a family of words meaning 'quarter' or 'fourth' and is cognate with Dutch kwartaal, Finnish kvartaali, and the German Quartal. In Estonian and related Baltic languages, kvartaal covers both the calendar and urban senses, with the exact meaning determined by context.

See also: Quarter, Quarterly, Quartal (German).