piirangu

Piirangu is the genitive singular form of the Estonian noun piirang, meaning a restriction or limitation. In Estonian usage, piirang denotes a constraint that curtails actions, quantities, time frames, or permissions. The term appears in legal, administrative, economic, and technical texts to describe conditions that limit what is allowed or possible. Common phrases include piirangu tõttu, meaning “because of the restriction,” and piirangu kehtestamine, meaning “the imposition of a restriction.” The word can refer to various kinds of limits, such as maximum values, time limits, or geographic boundaries.

Etymology and usage notes: Piirangu is formed from the base piirang (restriction) with the genitive singular ending. It is typically used in constructions that indicate a relation to the restriction, for example to describe causes, effects, or the scope of the constraint. The root piir draws on the concept of a border or limit, which persists in related terms such as piir (border) and piirama (to restrict).

Grammatical considerations: Piirangu functions as a dependent (genitive) form within noun phrases and is not used as a stand-alone nominative. It often appears in expressions such as piirangu tõttu (due to the restriction) or piirangu kehtestamine (the establishment of a restriction). Its meaning is closely tied to the broader concept of controlling or delimiting options within a given framework.

See also: piirang, piir, piirama, kehtestama.