loenduv

Loenduv is a linguistic term used in Estonian grammar to describe nouns that can be counted directly with numerals. The word is formed from loend-, meaning “to count,” with the adjectival suffix -uv, and it is used in descriptive grammars to classify how nouns interact with numbers.

In Estonian, loenduv nouns are contrasted with non-countable (or mass) nouns, which do not take direct numerals and typically require measure words or quantifiers to express quantity. Examples of loenduv nouns include inimesed (people), kassid (cats), and lapsed (children). By using numbers such as kaks, kolm or viis with these nouns, quantity is expressed without additional words beyond the numeral and the noun in its appropriate form.

Non-countable nouns include liquids and masses like piim (milk), vesi (water), and liha (meat). To express quantity with these, speakers normally use a measure unit, as in kaks liitrit piima or kolm klaasi vett, rather than placing a numeral directly before the mass noun.

Some nouns can be interpreted as loenduvad or non-countable depending on meaning or context, highlighting a semantic rather than a purely morphological distinction. The loenduv–non-loenduv distinction is a standard topic in Estonian linguistic descriptions and is related to broader discussions of countable versus mass nouns in many languages.