ligikaudset

Ligikaudset is an Estonian inflected form of the adjective ligikaudne, meaning approximately. It serves to indicate that a value, quantity, or measurement is not exact but is an estimate. In usage, ligikaudset typically accompanies nouns that denote numbers, prices, dates, sizes, or other measurable attributes. The term is common in scientific, statistical, and everyday language where precision is not required or unavailable.

Grammatical notes are important for understanding ligikaudset. Estonian adjectives agree with the noun they describe in number and case, and ligikaudset is one such inflected form that can appear depending on the grammatical role of the modified noun within a sentence. The base form ligikaudne conveys the meaning “approximate,” while ligikaudset is the appropriate form in certain case contexts.

Usage considerations and related terms. Ligikaudset is used when the speaker wants to emphasize an estimate rather than a precise figure, often in combination with measurements, estimates, or claims of uncertainty. The adverb ligikaudu also expresses approximation but does not carry the noun-modifying function. Related forms include ligikaudne (the base adjective) and ligikaudu (the adverbial form), which together cover common ways to express approximation in Estonian.

See also. ligikaudne; ligikaudu; umbese (approximately).