Tunnustatav

Tunnustatav is an Estonian adjective used to describe something that can be acknowledged, recognized, or identified. In general usage it conveys that a property, fact, or phenomenon is sufficiently evident to be affirmatively recognized or accepted. The nuance can range from practical observability to theoretical acknowledgeability in argumentation or analysis.

It is formed from the verb tunnustama, meaning to acknowledge or recognize, with the suffix -atav, which in Estonian grammar marks the potential or inherent quality of the root. The resulting word thus denotes something that is capable of being acknowledged or recognized.

In academic and professional Estonian, tunnustatav is used to characterize findings, features, or claims that can be verified or identified by evidence. It is closely related to, but not identical to, tuvastatav (detectable) and äratuntav (easily identifiable). Tunnustatav tends to emphasize the acceptability or recognizability of a property rather than its mere existence.

Because of its nuance, tunnustatav is more common in analytical or evaluative contexts where recognition or validation is a goal, rather than in everyday description. The term may appear in discussions of research results, theoretical arguments, or evaluative criteria, where the strength of evidence supports its recognition.

See also: tuvastatav, äratuntav, tunnustus.