Kõnetad

Kõnetad is the second-person singular present tense form of the Estonian verb kõnetama. It means you address, you appeal to, or you move someone emotionally through speech or argument. The term is commonly used to describe the act of engaging an audience or listener through rhetoric, tone, or deliberate persuasion.

Usage and nuance involves both direct communication and broader persuasive appeal. Kõnetama often implies an intentional effect on listeners, such as persuading, inspiring, or touching their emotions. Typical objects include an audience, people, or a heart. Example sentences include: “Sa kõnetad publikut oma kõnega.” (You address the audience with your speech.) “Kuidas sa kõnetad inimesi?” (How do you appeal to people?) “Ta kõnetab südant.” (He/She touches the heart.)

Grammar notes: as a finite verb, kõnetad forms a complete predicate with the subject in the second person singular. Other person forms include “kõnetan” (I address), “kõnetab” (he/she addresses), and “kõnetame” (we address). Kõnetama is transitive, and the object is typically in the partitive case, e.g., “publikut,” “südant,” reflecting indefinite or emotional targets in Estonian.

Etymology and related forms: the verb derives from the noun “kõne” meaning speech or talk, with the suffix -tama indicating a causative or active verb meaning “to cause to speak to” or “to speak to in a persuasive way.” Related expressions emphasize rhetorical or emotional engagement rather than mere talking.

In sum, kõnetada encompasses both direct address and emotional or rhetorical appeal, with kõnetad specifically indicating that you are the one performing the act.