reaalne

Reaalne is an Estonian adjective meaning real, actual, or tangible. It denotes existence in reality rather than in imagination or abstraction and is used to describe things that are verifiable, practical, or genuine. In everyday language, it can express contrast with hypothetical or fictional: for example, "reaalne probleem" (a real problem) or "reaalne elu" (real life). The word frequently appears in scientific and philosophical discussions to distinguish concrete phenomena from theoretical or speculative ones.

In mathematics and related disciplines, reaalne is used to qualify concepts associated with real numbers and real-valued quantities. Estonian mathematical terminology includes "reaalarv" for real numbers and "reaalväärtuslik funktsioon" for a real-valued function, highlighting its role in the real number system as opposed to complex or imaginary quantities. The term thus helps separate real-world measurements and data from abstractions.

Etymology: Reaalne is a loanword formed with the -alne suffix, from a root related to Latin or Germanic words for "real" (cognate with Finnish reaalinen and English real). It is part of a broad Indo-European family of terms that denote existence and actuality. In contemporary Estonian, reaalne is a common, productive adjective used across domains, including science, technology, education, and media.

See also: reaalarv, tegelikkus, virtuaalne.