võrdlen

Võrdlen is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Estonian verb võrdlema, meaning "to compare." It denotes the act of examining two or more items to identify their similarities and differences, or to assess how they relate to one another. The form is commonly used in everyday speech, academic writing, and practical tasks involving analysis or judgment.

Etymology and related forms: Võrdlema (to compare) is built from the stem võrdle- with the infinitive suffix -ma. The root võrd- is connected to words meaning equality, such as võrdne (equal) and võrdlus (comparison). Other related forms include võrdlen (I compare), võrdled (you compare), võrdleb (he/she/it compares), võrdleme (we compare), võrdlete (you all compare), and võrdlevad (they compare). The noun form võrdlemine refers to the act of comparing.

Usage: The verb expresses a deliberate examination of items to determine similarities, differences, or relative merit. It is used with direct objects, typically in the accusative, for example: Ma võrdlen kahte allikat, et näha, kas nende sisud langevad kokku. Ta võrdleb kahe meetodi tulemusi. Võrdlemine is the noun form used for the process, as in “võrdlemine aitab kinnitada tähelepanekuid.”

See also: võrdne, võrdlus, võrdlemine, võrdlema. These related terms cover concepts of equality and the act or result of comparing.