Mõtldi

Mõtldi is an Estonian noun form derived from the verb mõelda, meaning "to think". As a noun, it functions as the plural form of the first-person singular present indicative of several related verbs in regular conjugation patterns, though it can also be interpreted as an abstract noun referring to a notion or an idea. In everyday Estonian usage, one might encounter phrases such as “mõtlemisprotsess” (thought process) or “mõtlemine” (thinking), yet “mõtldi” itself appears mainly in poetic or archaic contexts where it evokes a sense of reflective contemplation.

Etymologically the root mõt- traces back to Proto-Uralic, with cognates in Finnish (mietti, meaning "to consider") and other Finnic languages. The suffix -ldi signals a nominalization of an internal action, a construction that generates abstract nouns from verbs, thereby rendering a specific mental activity as an object of discourse.

In Estonian literature and folklore, “mõtldi” often appears in cautionary tales where characters are urged to think before acting. For example, the fable “Mõtldi, maitsed meie edasi” directly translates to “Think, flavors lead us further,” underscoring the cultural value placed upon introspection and deliberation.

The form also permeates modern Estonian idioms related to mental agility, such as “mõtldi lühikese ühtmise peale” (“think of a brief union”), illustrating its flexible application across contexts ranging from everyday advice to philosophical musings.