Väiksem

Väiksem is an Estonian word that serves as the comparative form of väike, meaning “smaller” or “less.” It is used to compare two or more items in size or degree and can function as an adjective or a predicative part of a sentence.

In practice, väkisem is used in constructions such as “See on väiksem” (This is smaller) or, with a comparison, “See on väiksem kui teine” (This is smaller than the other). It agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case, as is typical for Estonian adjectives. The word appears in everyday language, literature, and formal writing whenever a size or degree needs to be contrasted.

Etymology and morphology: Väiksem is formed from the root väike (small) with the standard Estonian comparative suffix. Like other adjectives, it participates in the language’s grammatical system, changing form to fit different syntactic roles and cases.

Toponymy and usage as a name: Väiksem is primarily an ordinary adjective. It is not widely documented as an official place name in Estonia’s standard registries. If you encounter a capitalized Väiksem, it may be a local or fictional reference, or a contextual proper noun in a specific text, rather than a widely recognized geographic entity. In most contexts, it should be interpreted as the comparative adjective rather than a proper noun.

See also: väike, Estonian grammar, comparative forms.