kuude

Kuude is the genitive plural form of the Estonian noun kuu, which has two primary meanings: moon and month. The sense used depends on context, with kuude functioning to express “of the moons” or “of the months.” It is a grammatical form rather than a standalone noun and appears in oblique cases and fixed expressions.

In practice, kuude is found in phrases that describe relations or characteristics tied to moons or months. Examples include kuude mõju (the influence of the moons), kuude arv (the number of months), and kuude faasid (the phases of the moons). When referring to the moons collectively in a straightforward subject, the nominative plural kuud is typically used; kuude is used when the phrase requires a genitive/possessive or attributive function.

Etymology traces kuude to kuu, a basic Estonian noun borrowed from Finnic roots, with the genitive plural suffix -de forming kuude for both moon and month senses. The distinction between kuud (nominative plural) and kuude (genitive plural) helps signal grammatical role and meaning within a sentence.

See also: kuu (moon), kuu (month), Estonian grammar, Genitive case.

References to kuude arise mainly in descriptive, astronomical, calendrical, or poetic contexts, where the relationship of moons or months to another element is being specified.