olemusliku

Olemusliku is an Estonian adjective derived from the noun olemus, meaning being, existence, or essence. It is used to denote ontological meaning, that is, relating to ontology—the branch of philosophy that studies the nature of being and the categories of existence. In scholarly Estonian, olemuslik or its inflected forms describe properties, concepts, or inquiries connected to the nature of being.

Etymology and form: The word combines olemus with the suffix -lik to form olemuslik, meaning ontological or being-related. The form olemusliku represents an inflected variant used to modify a noun in certain grammatical cases (for example to agree with a noun in the genitive or other cases). The exact ending depends on number, case, and sentence structure, as in typical Estonian adjective inflection.

Usage: Olemusliku tends to appear in philosophical and academic writing, especially in discussions that either prefer a traditional or more nuanced term for ontology, or in translations and historical contexts where older vocabulary is preserved. Typical phrases might involve olemusliku olemuse uurimine (the study of the ontological essence) or olemusliku küsimuse lahendamine (addressing an ontological question).

Relation to related terms: The standard modern translation of ontology in Estonian is ontoloogia, and the adjective ontoloogiline is commonly used as well to denote ontological properties. Olemusliku serves as a more traditional or philosophically rooted variant that foregrounds being and essence as fundamental notions. In practice, the choice between olemuslik and ontoloogiline varies by author and historical context.

See also: Ontoloogia; Ontoloogiline; Olemus.