puudulik

Puudulik is an Estonian adjective meaning lacking or insufficient. It describes something that does not meet a required amount, quality, or standard. The word derives from the Estonian root puudu, meaning missing or lacking.

Common usages include material resources, information, or conditions. Examples are puudulik varustus (insufficient equipment), puudulik teave (inadequate information), puudulik toitumine (poor nutrition), and puudulik arusaamine (insufficient understanding). The term can refer to physical resources, data, services, or general standards not being met.

Related noun forms include puudulikkus, meaning deficiency or disability, and puudu-/puudujääk-based terms such as puudujääk (deficit, shortage). These related words are used in similar contexts to describe shortfalls, gaps, or shortcomings. Puudulik is common in official language, policy documents, journalism, and academic writing, as well as in everyday speech.

Grammar notes: puudulik is an attributive adjective that agrees with the noun in number and case (for example, puudulik varustus in the singular nominative; puuduliku varustuse in the genitive). It belongs to standard Estonian and is used across formal and informal registers.

In summary, puudulik conveys insufficiency or deficiency, applicable to resources, information, knowledge, and other qualities or conditions that fall short of a required standard.