Põhinev

Põhinev is an Estonian adjective and present participle meaning “based on,” “grounded in,” or “founded on.” It is used to describe statements, theories, analyses, or approaches that derive their content from a particular source, evidence, or framework. The term is common in academic, professional, and journalistic writing as a way to indicate the basis or justification for something.

Usage and meaning: Põhinev is typically placed before a noun to form a compound modifier, for example, põhinev teooria (a theory based on certain premises) or põhinev lähenemine (a basis-based approach). It can also appear predicatively with the verb olema, as in See väide on põhinev (This claim is based on [these] premises). The English equivalents are based on or grounded in.

Etymology and relation to other forms: The word is formed from the concept of base or foundation (põhi) with the participial suffix -ev, reflecting a relation to the verb or construction meaning “to base on.” It is related to the common verb phrase põhineb meaning “is based on.”

Grammatical notes: As a participial adjective, põhinev agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case. It is typically used in formal or technical prose to signal the source or justification of a claim, analysis, or method. For expressing a completed basis one might use related forms such as põhinenud in appropriate contexts, though põhinev remains the standard attributive form for present-based basis.

See also: põhineb; põhineva.