Väärtusel

Väärtusel is the adessive singular form of the Estonian noun väärtus, meaning value or worth. In Estonian grammar, the adessive case is used to indicate location on or at something, and it is also used to express the basis or reference for a statement. Thus väärtusel can convey “on value” or, more commonly, “on the basis of value.”

In practice, väärtusel is most often found in phrases describing a value-based basis for decisions, theories, or approaches. A common usage is väärtusel põhinev, meaning “value-based” or “based on value.” For example, see phrases such as: see on väärtusel põhinev lähenemine (this is a value-based approach) or väärtusel põhinevad otsused (value-based decisions). The form can also appear in plural contexts, where the adessive takes the plural ending: väärtustel.

Grammatical notes: the singular adessive form is valued as väärtusel, while the plural adessive form is väärtustel. The associated forms of väärtus include: nominative väärtus, genitive väärtuse, partitive väärtust, and the plural nominative väärtused. The adessive usage is not limited to physical location; it is frequently employed to indicate the basis or standard by which something is evaluated or judged.

See also: Estonian grammar, Adessive case, Value in philosophy and economics.