Kahtlustada

Kahtlustada is the Estonian verb meaning to suspect or to have suspicions about someone or something. It expresses the belief that something is probably true or that a person may be involved in an act, without conclusive proof. The term is used in everyday language as well as in journalism and legal contexts to convey uncertainty about others’ actions or motives.

The verb is transitive and is commonly used with a direct object referring to a person or with a clause introduced by et to specify the suspected fact. Examples: "Ma kahtlustan teda." "Ma kahtlustan, et ta valet." These constructions show both a direct suspicion of a person and a suspicion about a stated fact or behavior.

In practice, kahtlustada can range from mild doubt to formal suspicion of wrongdoing. The related noun kahtlus denotes doubt or suspicion, and kahtlustamine refers to the act of suspecting. The word is often encountered in news reporting, investigative writing, and everyday conversation when someone wants to indicate uncertainties about another’s actions or motives.

Etymology: kahtlustada is a native Estonian formation derived from kahtlus (doubt) with the infinitive suffix -da. The term belongs to standard Estonian vocabulary and is commonly taught as a basic verb for expressing doubt or suspicion.