püüdev

Pädev is an Estonian adjective meaning capable, competent, or qualified. It describes people who have the necessary knowledge and skills to perform tasks, as well as organizations, procedures, or documents that meet established standards. The term often emphasizes proven ability and judgment rather than mere potential.

In everyday and formal use, pädev appears in phrases such as ta on pädev jurist (he is a competent lawyer) or see on pädev lahendus (this is a competent/adequate solution). It is commonly applied to professionals, institutions, and processes to indicate reliability and adequacy for a given role or task.

Related forms and antonyms include pädevus, the noun for competence, and ebapädev, used to denote incompetence or lack of qualification. Synonyms and near-synonyms in Estonian include kompetentne, kvalifitseeritud, oskuslik, and võimekas, though each carries subtle nuance in emphasis on skill, qualification, or overall effectiveness.

Etymology and origin: the exact origin of pädev is not clearly documented, but it is regarded as a native Estonian word. It is closely related to the noun pädevus (competence) and forms part of a common vocabulary for evaluating capability in professional and organizational contexts.

In summary, pädev is a standard term in Estonian for describing adequate ability and reliability, widely used across education, business, law, and public administration to denote qualified performance.