Suhtlen

Suhtlen is the first-person singular present tense form of the Estonian verb suhtlema, meaning to interact, to communicate, or to relate to others. It denotes that the subject is currently engaging in direct social contact or dialogue. The verb belongs to the class of -lema verbs and is commonly used in everyday speech to describe interpersonal communication or social interaction.

The related noun is suhtlus, which refers to communication or social contact, and the verbal noun suhtlemine captures the act of interacting or communicating. These forms share the same root, which reflects the idea of establishing connections between people. Suhtlemine and related terms are widely used across formal and informal contexts to discuss communication skills, networking, or social behavior.

Usage notes include that suhtlen is typically employed to describe ongoing or habitual behavior in the first person, as in ma suhtlen kolleegidega iga päev (I interact with colleagues every day). It can also appear in broader statements about relationships or social activities, such as ta suhtleb hästi lastega (he communicates well with children) or nad suhtlevad aktiivselt ühisüritustel (they interact actively at joint events). While the form itself is neutral, the surrounding wording may convey whether the interaction is casual, professional, or formal. The term is a common part of standard Estonian vocabulary and appears in education, workplaces, media, and everyday conversation.

See also: suhtlus, suhtlemine, suhtleja, suhe.