Nõustada

Nõustada is an Estonian verb that means to provide advice or guidance to someone, in effect to counsel or to give recommendations on a matter. It is used when someone with knowledge or authority offers information, options, and considerations intended to help another person make a decision.

In practice, nõustada is encountered in professional and formal contexts, such as medicine, law, education, finance, and consulting. A doctor may nõustada a patient about treatment choices, a lawyer about legal options, or a career counselor about study and work paths. The action is typically directed at a person or group and implies a role beyond simple information sharing, involving assessment and guidance tailored to the recipient’s situation. The noun form nõustamine (counseling, consultation) is closely related, as is the term nõustaja (counselor, advisor).

Etymology and related terms: nõustada is derived from the noun nõu (advice, counsel) with the verb-forming elements common in Estonian. It is related to the verb nõustama (to counsel) and the noun nõustamine (counseling, consultation). The pair often appears in discussions of advisory services and guidance functions.

Grammar and usage notes: Nõustada is a transitive verb and typically requires a recipient of the advice (for example, nõustab kedagi). Common related forms include nõustamine (gerund/nominalization), nõustaja (counselor), and participial forms like nõustatud (advised).

See also: nõustamine, nõustaja, nõu, nõustama.

Example: Ta nõustab patsienti operatsioonieelsetes otsustes.