võrratus

Võrratus is an Estonian noun that denotes the state or quality of being incomparable or unmatched. It describes something that cannot reasonably be compared with others because of its exceptional nature, scale, or quality. The word is formed from the adjective võrratu (“incomparable, astonishing”) with the abstract-noun suffix -sus, producing a term that lives mainly in formal or literary registers.

The main grammatical forms of võrratus are võrratuse (genitive), võrratust (partitive), and võrratus (nominative). The related adjective is võrratu, and the adverbial form is võrratult. In everyday language, võrratu is far more common for describing something as better or more impressive than anything else, while võrratus is used when stressing the unreliability of any comparison or the absolute nature of the superiority.

Usage and nuance: võrratus is typically found in literary, rhetorical, or formal prose and tends to carry a strong positive connotation, highlighting exceptional beauty, skill, or achievement. It can also be used more abstractly to speak of a quality that sets something apart in a way that resists comparison. In colloquial Estonian, speakers more often rely on võrratu or other adjectives to convey a similar sense.

See also: võrratu, võrdlus (comparison).