Põhjustatus

Põhjustatus is a term used in Estonian linguistics, philosophy and logic to refer to the concept of causation or the causal relation between events. The word is formed from põhjus, meaning cause, with the suffix -atus, creating a noun that denotes the state or relation of being caused. It is primarily employed in technical discussions rather than everyday speech.

In linguistics, põhjustatus can denote causative voice or constructions that express that one agent brings about an action performed by another. It is discussed as a semantic relation within clause structure and, depending on the framework, may be analyzed as a morphological, syntactic, or periphrastic device for encoding causation.

In logic and philosophy, põhjustatus describes the causal connection between events or propositions. It is distinguished from mere temporal succession and from justification or explanation. The term helps formalize questions about how one event or condition brings about another, and how such relations can be inferred or established.

Examples illustrate the causative sense: “Õpetaja pani õpilase naerma” (The teacher made the student laugh) shows a causer inducing an action. “Vesi sulatas lund” (Water melted snow) indicates a natural causal relation. These examples underscore the distinction between active causation and passive or automatic processes.

Notes and variations: usage may vary among sources; some texts discuss related notions such as base verbs with causative derivations or periphrastic constructions, while others reserve põhjustatus for more theoretical discussions of causation in events or explanations. The term should be understood within its technical, cross-disciplinary context.