Kahjustasid

Kahjustasid is an Estonian verb form from kahjustama, meaning to harm or to damage. It marks that harm or damage was caused in the past by the subject of the sentence. The word reflects both physical injury and material damage, as well as more figurative harms such as reputational or diplomatic damage depending on context.

Etymology and construction originate from the root kahju, which denotes harm or loss, combined with the verbal suffixes that form kahjustama, “to harm.” Kahjustasid is a finite past tense form used in narrative or recounting events where the subject caused harm.

In terms of grammar, kahjustasid is a past-tense conjugation of kahjustama. The exact person and number it indicates depend on the subject; in Estonian, the ending -asid is associated with certain past-tense forms and can align with second-person singular or third-person plural depending on the sentence. It is a transitive verb that takes a direct object referring to the thing harmed or damaged.

Usage-wise, kahjustasid appears in both everyday language and formal writing to convey that harm was done in the past. It can describe physical injuries to people, damage to property, or broader harms such as compromises to safety, functionality, or reputation. In legal or official contexts, related nouns such as kahju (harm/damage) or kahjus (of the damage) are often used to discuss liability and compensation.

See also: kahju, kahjustus, kahjustama, Estonian verb conjugation.