Kustutama

Kustutama is an Estonian verb meaning to erase, delete, extinguish or wipe out. It is used for removing marks, data, text and physical flames or lights, as well as in figurative senses such as erasing memories or records.

As a regular -ma infinitive verb, its basic form is kustutama. Present tense first person singular is kustutan (I erase), simple past is kustutasin (I erased), and the past participle is kustutatud (erased, deleted). The imperative form commonly used is kustuta (erase!/delete!). The verb is typically transitive and takes a direct object, for example "kustutama teksti" (to erase text) or "kustutama tuld" (to extinguish a fire).

In computing and information contexts, kustutama is the standard term for deleting files, entries or data. In everyday use it also appears with tools and objects, for instance "kustukumm" (eraser) and "kustutaja" (one who erases or an erasing device). Related nouns include kustutus (deletion, extinction) and kustutamine (the act of erasing).

Usage ranges from literal physical actions to metaphorical expressions. Translations into English commonly include "to erase," "to delete," "to extinguish," and "to wipe out." The verb is part of the Finnic branch of languages and shares functional similarities with corresponding verbs in related languages.