Riiklikud

Riiklikud is the plural form of the Estonian adjective riiklik, which means state-related or state-owned. It is used to describe nouns in the plural and expresses that something concerns the state, is controlled by the state, or is characteristic of the nation. Common examples include riiklikud institutsioonid (state institutions), riiklikud programmid (state programs), and riiklikud ettevõtted (state-owned enterprises).

Etymology and grammar: riiklik comes from the noun riik (state, country) with the adjective-forming suffix -lik. The form riiklikud is the plural nominative of the attributive adjective, used when the noun it modifies is plural. The construction follows standard Estonian agreement rules, where the adjective agrees in number with the noun.

Usage and scope: In political, administrative, and legal contexts, riiklikud signals a connection to the central or national level rather than local or private spheres. It contrasts with kohalikud (local) or eraetatud (private) in descriptions of institutions, policies, and funding. The term often appears in official discourse, policy documents, and media reporting to denote nationwide scope or state ownership.

Examples of use include references to riiklikud prioriteedid (state priorities), riiklikud investeeringud (state investments), and riiklik kontroll (state oversight). While the Estonian state has undergone changes in ownership structures since independence, riiklikud remains a standard descriptor for anything pertaining to the state or nation at large.

See also: Riik, Riigikontroll, Riigikantselei.