kriitilise

Kriitilise is the genitive singular form of the Estonian adjective kriitiline, which means critical in the sense of requiring careful analysis, evaluation, or being of crucial importance. The form kriitilise is used to modify a noun in the genitive case, for example in phrases such as kriitilise hinnangu (of a critical assessment) or kriitilise tähtsusega (of critical importance). In everyday and formal Estonian, the adjective kriitiline appears in many contexts, including academic writing, journalism, and policy discussions.

Etymology and meaning: kriitiline is a loanword derived from the noun kriitika (criticism), itself linked to many European languages that use a form related to criticism or critique. The word is related to similar terms in languages such as German and French, and ultimately traces back to ancient roots meaning judgment or critique. In Estonian, the sense ranges from “pertaining to critique or evaluation” to “crucial or essential,” depending on context.

Usage notes: As with other Estonian adjectives, kriitiline declines to agree with the noun in case and number. kriitilise typically appears when describing a noun in genitive or in constructions where the adjective appears before a noun that is in genitive. The nuance between “critical” as a judgmental stance and “crucial” as important can be conveyed through context and accompanying words, such as tähtis (important) or oluliseks (essential).

Examples: ta esitas kriitilise hinnangu uuringule; kriitilise tähtsusega otsused vajavad kiiret tähelepanu.