ligikaudne

Ligikaudne is a Estonian adjective meaning approximately or rough, used to describe values, estimates, or descriptions that are not exact. It signals that the information is not precise and is subject to change or uncertainty. The word is commonly found in scientific, statistical, financial, and everyday language to convey a sense of estimation without claiming exactitude.

In usage, ligikaudne often accompanies numerals, measurements, or forecasts. For example, you might encounter phrases such as ligikaudne hind (approximately the price), ligikaudne aeg (an approximate time), or hind ligikaudne umbes 1 200 eurot (the price is approximately 1,200 euros). In scientific writing, it is used to indicate estimated parameters, model outputs, or uncertainty bounds when exact values are unavailable or unnecessary for the discussion.

Etymology and related terms: ligikaudne is formed from the adverb ligikaudu (approximately) with the common Estonian adjective suffix -ne, yielding a property descriptor. The term is closely related to täpne (exact) and täpsed hinnangud (accurate estimates). In practice, ligikaudne contrasts with precise, exact measurements, and its use helps avoid overstating certainty.

See also: täpne, hinnang, umbes, eeldus.

Overall, ligikaudne is a concise linguistic tool in Estonian for indicating non-precision, allowing speakers and writers to communicate estimates clearly and responsibly.