Tähendaks

Tähendaks is an Estonian finite verb form derived from tähendada (to mean, to signify). It is the third-person singular form of the present conditional mood and roughly corresponds to "would mean" in English. This form is used to express hypothetical meanings or outcomes in conditional clauses or reported speech.

Usage: Tähendaks describes what would be implied under a certain condition. It appears in sentences that discuss possible consequences or interpretations. In Estonian, it is common in subordinate clauses introduced by kui (if) or by et (that) to indicate a hypothetical meaning. The construction helps distinguish the hypothetical sense from the indicative present.

Origin and relation: The verb tähendada is built from the root tähen- related to "tähis" (sign) and "tähendus" (meaning). Tähendaks is one of several conditional forms formed from this stem, used to convey hypothetical statements. The form reflects Estonian mood and aspect rather than tense in the same way as some languages.

See also: tähendus, tähendama.

Note: In practice, forms like tähendaks are part of everyday Estonian, used to discuss what things would imply if conditions changed, or to frame hypothetical conclusions in both spoken and written language.