Reaalseid

Reaalseid is the Estonian plural partitive form of the adjective reaalne, meaning "real" or "actual." It is used before plural nouns in the partitive case to describe an unspecified or partial quantity of real things, as in reaalseid andmeid (real data), reaalseid näiteid (real examples), or reaalseid sündmusi (real events).

Morphology and usage notes: In Estonian, adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in number and case. The partitive plural form of this adjective is typically -eid, producing reaalseid from reaalne. This form signals that the speaker refers to some real instances or elements rather than a definite, countable set described by the nominative plural reaalsed, which would refer to “the real ones.” The construction requires a following plural noun in the partitive case.

Semantic nuance: Reaalseid emphasizes authenticity and factuality. It is common in academic writing, journalism, and discourse about data, evidence, or examples. It contrasts with fictional, hypothetical, or imagined content, and with general statements about reality rather than specific real-world items.

Related terms: The root reaale is connected to reaalsus (reality) and reaalarv (real number) in Estonian. The word is primarily an attribute; it does not function as a standalone noun.

Example usages illustrate how reaalseid modifies plural nouns to convey that the items being discussed are real or actual rather than hypothetical.