kristlik

Kristlik is the Estonian adjective meaning "Christian." It describes things related to Christianity or to Christians, including beliefs (kristlik usk), practices, institutions (kristlik kirik), and cultural expressions (kristlik kultuur). The corresponding noun for a person who adheres to Christianity is kristlane, while kristlus refers to Christianity as a religion or the Christian faith as a system.

Origin and usage: Kristlik is derived from Latin Christianus, through Greek and other medieval European linguistic developments. In Estonian grammar it is inflected to agree with nouns (for example, kristlik, kristliku, kristluse, kristlikult) and can function as an adjective in compound terms such as kristlik õpetus (Christian doctrine) or kristlik kogukond (Christian community). The term is neutral and widely used in religious, academic, media, and everyday language.

Context and nuance: Kristlik is primarily an adjective and is often contrasted with secular or non-Christian terms. It is commonly paired with nouns to describe aspects of Christian faith, life, or culture, such as kristlik eetika (Christian ethics) or kristlik praktika (Christian practice). In public discourse in Estonia, the word appears in discussions about churches, religious education, and interfaith relations, as well as in historical descriptions of the Christianization of the region.

See also: kristlus, kristlane, kirik. These related terms cover Christianity as a religion, a Christian person, and the church.