iseloomustusi

Iseloomustusi is the Estonian partitive plural form of the noun iseloomustus, which means description or characterization. The term is used for descriptions of a person’s character or for descriptions of features of objects, phenomena, or situations. In practice, iseloomustusi appear in contexts where several descriptions are referenced or enumerated, rather than a single portrait.

Etymology and form: iseloomustus is derived from the verb iseloomustama (to describe or characterize) with nominalizing suffixes that create a concept of description or characterization. The nominative plural is iseloomustused, while the partitive plural is iseloomustusi. The partitive form is common after verbs that require the partitive case, for example: Ma kirjutasin mitmeid iseloomustusi tegelaste kohta.

Usage: Iseloomustusi are often found in literary criticism, biographies, academic writing, journalism, and documentation where multiple character sketches or feature descriptions are presented. They tend to be evaluative or interpretive, focusing on traits, motivations, or notable attributes, but they can also describe concrete features of objects or datasets in a descriptive sense.

Examples (Estonian): Ta esitas mitmeid iseloomustusi peategelase motiivide kohta. Iseloomustusi tuleb koostada objektiivselt ja põhjendatult. Kirjastus avaldas iseloomustusi erinevate tegelaste käitumisest. These sentences illustrate how iseloomustusi function as objects of description in plural.

See also: iseloomustus, kirjeldus, omadused.