rahulikud

Rahulikud is an Estonian adjective meaning “calm” or “peaceful” in the plural form. It is used to describe people, places, or situations that are not agitated or loud. In everyday language, it can refer to a person’s temperament as well as the mood or character of a setting.

Origin and related forms: It is derived from the noun rahu, meaning “peace,” with the adjectival suffix -lik. The base word rahulik is the singular form; rahulikud is the plural nominative, used with plural subjects. The word has cognates in related Finnic languages, such as Finnish rauhallinen, which carries a similar meaning of calm or peaceful.

Usage: In Estonian, rahulikud typically precede the noun they describe when used attributively, as in rahulikud inimesed (“calm people”). It can also be used predicatively: Need inimesed on rahulikud (“Those people are calm”). The term appears in everyday speech, literature, and media to convey tranquility or steadiness. Common collocations include rahulik olukord (calm situation), rahulik elu (calm life), and rahulikkus, a noun form referring to calmness.

Notes: As a descriptive term, rahulikud carries a neutral to positive connotation, often associated with steadiness, patience, and a non-chaotic atmosphere. Its precise nuance can vary with context, ranging from a factual observation about temperament to a desirable quality of a setting or community.