ebapiisavaid

ebapiisavaid is the Estonian adjective ebapiisav in its partitive plural form. It describes things that are not appropriate, not sufficient, or not meeting required standards. The term is used in formal and analytical contexts to characterize arguments, proposals, conditions, or conduct that fail to satisfy applicable criteria.

Etymology and form: It is formed from the negating prefix eba- attached to piisav (“adequate, sufficient”). Ebapiisav declines like other Estonian adjectives; the plural forms include ebapiisavad (nominative) and ebapiisavaid (partitive). The form ebapiisavaid is specifically the partitive plural, used when the object is indefinite or not fully specified.

Usage notes: In everyday speech, speakers may opt for synonyms such as sobimatu or ebasobiv, but ebapiisav carries a formal or critical tone often found in written critique, policy analyses, and academic writing. It commonly precedes a noun to express inadequacy: ebapiisavaid argumente, ebapiisavaid tingimusi, or ebapiisavat käitumist (singular). For neutral descriptions, less charged terms such as piisav or sobiv may be used.

See also: sobimatu, ebasobiv, sobiv.