võrdsem

Võrdsem is the Estonian comparative form of the adjective võrdne, meaning more equal or fairer. It is used to describe a higher degree of equality or parity between two or more entities, such as income distribution, access to resources, or treatment under policies. The corresponding superlative is võrdseim, meaning the most equal or fairest.

In Estonian grammar, comparative forms are typically created by adding the suffix -sem to the stem, yielding võrdsem. The base form võrdne denotes equality or being alike; võrdsem expresses a greater degree of that quality, and võrdseim expresses the greatest degree. The word can function predicatively (see on võrdsem) or attributively, depending on sentence structure.

Võrdsem is commonly used in sociopolitical, economic, and statistical contexts to discuss changes in equality. It can describe differences between groups, regions, or policies, as in discussions about income distribution, access to education, or health care. It also appears in everyday language when comparing conditions or outcomes, for example about wages, opportunities, or treatment.

See also: võrdsus (equality), võrdsed võimalused (equal opportunities), võrreldama (to compare). While võrdsem is a descriptive term rather than a fixed concept, it is frequently employed to express improvement in fairness or balance within a given context.