Usaldatav

Usaldatav is an Estonian adjective meaning trustworthy or reliable, describing something that can be depended on or believed. It is used for people, information, processes or sources that demonstrate consistency, accuracy and integrity. In everyday language, one may refer to a “usaldatav allikas” (a credible source) or a “usaldatav teave” (reliable information).

Etymology and morphology: usaldatav is formed from the verb usaldama, meaning to trust, with the suffix -atav, which yields an adjective describing its capacity or suitability. Related terms include usaldus (trust), usaldusväärne (credible or reliable) and usaldusväärsus or usaldatavus, which describe reliability or credibility as a property.

Usage and nuances: while usaldatav broadly conveys reliability, it can carry nuance depending on context. In everyday speech it often refers to credibility or trust in a source or person. In professional or technical contexts, usaldatavus or usaldatav teave is used to denote data quality, integrity and auditability, essential for decision making, reporting or governance.

Contexts and applications: the term appears across journalism, education, public administration, and information technology. It is commonly paired with nouns such as allikas, teave, and andmed (source, information, data) to express that the item meets standards of trust and verifiability. In policy and regulation, establishing usaldatavus is linked to transparency, accountability and data protection.

See also: related concepts include usaldusväärsus, usaldusväärne, and usaldus. In practice, usaldatav is a flexible descriptor used to signal credibility and dependability in Estonian discourse.