Nihkunud

Nihkunud is a word in the Estonian language that functions as a past participle adjective derived from the verb nihkuma, meaning to move, slide, or shift. The form nihkunud denotes that the subject has undergone a shifting action prior to the reference time. It is used both attributively and predicatively, agreeing with the noun in number and case.

Etymology and form: The participle is built from the root nihk-, with the standard Estonian past participle suffix -nud (or -unud, depending on phonology). The participle can take typical adjective inflections for definiteness, number, and cases. There are variant forms in dialects or older texts, but nihkunud is the standard modern form.

Usage: In neutral descriptive writing, nihkunud describes objects or states that have been displaced from their original position. For example, the sentence ukse on nihkunud translates to “the door has moved.” It can describe locations or configurations that have changed, such as nihkunud asend for “a moved/displaced position.” In noun phrases, it often appears as nihkunud mööbel, meaning “moved furniture.” The word does not specify the cause of movement; it simply signals that a shifting state has occurred.

See also: Estonian grammar, participles, adjectives.