sõltumatuses

Sõltumatuses is an Estonian locative form meaning "in independence" or "in a state of independence." It is the inessive case of the noun sõltumatus, which denotes independence or autonomy. The form is used in written Estonian to describe a state or condition rather than an action, typically in historical, political, or descriptive contexts. As a grammatical inflection, it signals that the subject exists within a framework characterized by independence, for example when stating that a country or organization operates "sõltumatuses." In everyday speech, the distance between sõltumatus and its locative form is not semantic but grammatical.

In terms of meaning, sõltumatuses relates to concepts of sovereignty, self-governance, and autonomy. It contrasts with the related adjective sõltumatu (independent) and with dependent or subordinate statuses (sõltuv). The word appears mainly in formal prose, encyclopedic entries, and juridical or political discourse. It can be part of phrases describing a state's constitutional status, the degree of self-rule, or the absence of external control.

Notes: The Estonian term for independence itself is sõltumatus; "sõltumatuses" is just one grammatical form used to describe being independent in a particular context. See also sõltumatus, sõltumatu, autonoomia, suveräänsus.