nimisõnalisem

nimisõnalisem is an Estonian adjective that translates to "more nominal" or "more noun-like." It is used to describe a word, phrase, or grammatical construction that exhibits characteristics typically associated with nouns, such as the ability to function as the subject or object of a sentence, or to be modified by adjectives. This can occur in various contexts within Estonian grammar.

For example, verbs can sometimes be nominalized, meaning they are turned into noun-like forms. This often involves adding suffixes to the verb stem. This nominalization allows the verb to be used in roles usually reserved for nouns. Similarly, adjectives can also exhibit more nominal qualities, for example, when they are used substantively, meaning they stand alone as a noun substitute, often referring to a person or thing possessing the quality described by the adjective. The concept of nimisõnalisem highlights the flexibility of word classes and how grammatical functions can shift or be emphasized within the Estonian language. It points to a tendency towards noun-like behavior in other word categories.