Unustatud

Unustatud is an Estonian adjective meaning "forgotten" or "neglected." It is the past passive participle of the verb unustama (to forget, to neglect) and is used both attributively before a noun and predicatively after a form of the verb olema (to be).

Etymology: The form unustatud is derived from unustama, with the participial suffix that yields a past passive participle. As an adjective, unustatud agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case.

Usage: The term describes objects, memories, or concepts that have been forgotten, overlooked, or discarded. Examples include unustatud lugu (an overlooked or forgotten story) and unustatud ajaloo osa (a forgotten part of history). In sentences it can function as a predicate adjective, as in see raamat on unustatud (this book is forgotten).

Grammar notes: Like other Estonian adjectives, unustatud inflects to agree with the noun in number and case. Common forms include unustatud raamat (forgotten book), unustatud raamatud (forgotten books), unustatud raamatu (genitive), and unustatud raamatuid (partitive).

In contemporary use, unustatud is often employed not only for physical objects but also metaphorically to refer to memories, places, or aspects of culture that have faded from public attention, such as unustatud minevik (forgotten past) or unustatud traditsioonid (forgotten traditions). The word conveys a sense of neglect or erasure, rather than mere absence.