isikud

Isikud is an Estonian noun meaning people or individuals. It is the plural form of isik and is used to refer to persons in general or to particular individuals within a group. The term is common in formal writing, statistics, sociology, and demographic descriptions, where speakers distinguish between groups of people and concrete individuals.

In everyday Estonian, isik can be used alongside inimene in many contexts, but isik often conveys a more explicit sense of a person as an agent or unit within a system, such as a voter, participant, or customer. In legal language, Estonian differentiates between füüsiline isik (natural person) and juriidiline isik (legal entity); isikud as a general term can encompass both, depending on context.

Usage notes: The word is widely understood and neutral in tone. It is more common in formal speech and written material, such as surveys or reports, than in casual conversation. Phrases such as "kõik isikud" (all persons) or "erirühmade isikud" (persons from specific groups) appear in data descriptions and analyses.

Etymology and related terms: Isikud is native Estonian, formed as the plural of isik. Related terms include inimene (person) and, in legal contexts, füüsiline isik and juriidiline isik.