otsingut

Otsingut is an Estonian noun that denotes the act or process of searching, seeking, or inquiry. It is the partitive singular form of otsing and is commonly used to describe an ongoing or indefinite act of seeking, such as in investigations, explorations, or personal quests.

Etymology and forms: The noun otsing originates from the verb otsida, “to search.” The base noun otsing has several grammatical forms; otsingut functions as the partitive singular and is used as the object of verbs or in constructions that emphasize the extent or continuity of the search. Related terms include otsing (the simple noun for a search), otsija (a seeker), and leidmine (finding).

Usage and context: In everyday Estonian, otsingut appears mainly in more formal, literary, or journalistic contexts, or in legal and academic prose. It is used when foregrounding the act of searching rather than its outcome, as in phrases that describe continuing or partial searching. Metaphorically, otsingut can refer to a broader quest for knowledge, meaning, or solutions beyond a concrete search.

See also: Otsing, otsima, otsija, leidmine, uurimine. These related terms cover the broader vocabulary of searching, seeking, finding, and investigating in Estonian.