tervislikud

Tervislikud is the Estonian plural form of the adjective tervislik, meaning healthy or healthful. In everyday language it is commonly used as a substantive to refer to people who are healthy or who actively pursue a healthy lifestyle. The term is neutral and widely understood in health-related discourse.

Etymology and grammar: Tervislik comes from tervis, health, with the suffix -lik forming adjectives meaning “like health” or “healthful.” The plural noun form to nominate a group is -ud, producing tervislikud. When used as a noun, it roughly translates to “the healthy ones” or “healthy people” and can function as a general category rather than a fixed social group.

Usage and context: Tervislikud frequently appears in health journalism, public campaigns, fitness discussions, and surveys to categorize or describe people by health status or behavior. It is commonly contrasted with haiged (the ill) or with phrases referring to healthy choices and lifestyles, such as tervislik eluviis or tervislik toitumine. The exact meaning depends on context, and it does not imply a formal designation or membership in a particular group.

Nuances: As a generic descriptive term, tervislikud can refer to individuals who maintain a healthy lifestyle or to a broader segment described as healthy in data or media. It is not a proper noun, brand, or official category, but rather a flexible linguistic expression used across health-related communication in Estonian. See also tervislik eluviis and tervislik toitumine for related concepts.