viisakas

Viisakas is an Estonian adjective meaning polite, courteous, or well-mannered. It describes behavior, speech, or presentation that conforms to commonly accepted social norms of civility and tact. The term is used for people, actions, and language in formal or everyday contexts.

In usage, viisakas is applied to phrases such as viisakas inimene (a polite person), viisakas käitumine (polite conduct), and viisakas vastus (polite reply). The noun form viisakus refers to politeness or civility in general and is often discussed in the context of social etiquette.

Grammar and inflection: Viisakas is a typical Estonian adjective and, like other adjectives, agrees with the noun it describes in number and case but not in gender. For example, viisakas inimene, viisakad inimesed. The form remains relatively stable across contexts, making it widely usable in both formal and informal registers.

Cultural context: Politeness and respectful communication are valued in Estonian social interaction, though directness is also a common characteristic in everyday speech. The concept of viisakus often appears in discussions of etiquette, customer service, and professional conduct, reflecting broader European norms of civil discourse.

See also: Etiquette, Manners, Courtesy, Viisakus.