rääkiv

Rääkiv is an Estonian word functioning as both a present-active participle and an adjective derived from the verb rääkima, meaning “to speak” or “to tell.” The primary sense is “speaking” or “talkative.” When applied to a person, rääkiv describes someone who talks a lot or speaks at length; in English it corresponds to “talkative” or “loquacious.” It can also describe speech-related phenomena, such as a discussion or a piece of text that is long-winded.

Usage and nuance: kasutus võib olla neutraalne või veidi kriitiline, olenevalt kontekstist. For example, Ta on väga räägiv means “He/She is very talkative.” Rääkiv jutt can refer to a long-winded tale, and rääkiv vestlus to a chat that is somewhat rambling. The word is used attributively before a noun (rääkiv inimene, räägiv jutt) and predicatively after a linking verb (Ta on räägiv). It is declined like a regular Estonian adjective, agreeing with the noun in number and case.

Etymology: formed from the verb rääkima with the present-participle suffix -iv, yielding an active participle that functions as an adjective.

Related terms: rääkima, rääkimine (speaking, speech), jutt (story, talk), vestlus (conversation).