Põhjust

Põhjus is Estonian a noun meaning reason or cause. It refers to the explanation or justification for an event, decision, belief, or phenomenon. In everyday speech it answers the question "miks?" and can denote both a direct trigger and a more general basis. The term is used across formal, scientific, and legal contexts as well as in journalism and literature.

The word is often contrasted with related terms. A motiiv expresses motive or intention, often with a subjective nuance, while põhjus emphasizes causality or justification. Põhjendus denotes justification or argumentation, and selgitus refers to an explanation or clarification. The plural form is põhjused, and it appears in constructions such as "põhjus ja tagajärk" (cause and effect) or "põhjuseks on…" (the reason for is…).

Usage and examples. In everyday language, you might hear: "Põhjus, miks me hilinesime, oli liiklus." In formal or written Estonian: "Selle otsuse põhjus oli finantskriis." In scientific or analytical writing one speaks of causal relationships or the search for põhjuslik seos. The term supports discussions of justification, responsibility, and the grounds for claims or actions.

Etymology and morphology. Põhjus is a native Estonian noun. It declines according to standard case endings; common inflected forms include põhjus (nominative singular) and põhjuse or põhjuse-based forms in genitive and other cases. The word underpins a wide range of discourse from everyday explanation to rigorous argumentation, making it a central concept in Estonian for articulating why something occurs.