Tõendit

Tõendit is the form of the Estonian noun tõend in the partitive or accusative singular. The base word tõend refers to something that proves or confirms a fact, and it can denote both a document that verifies information and the evidence or proof itself. In everyday language, tõendit is commonly used when referring to a concrete piece of proof or a document presented to substantiate a claim.

The main senses of tõend are legal-administrative and evidentiary. In a legal or administrative setting, a tõend can be a document that confirms a status, a right, or a fact, such as a birth certificate (sünnitõend), a diploma, or other official papers. In a broader sense, tõend refers to any proof or corroborating information that supports a statement, hypothesis, or argument. The related verb tõendada means to prove or certify, and tõendus is a general term for evidence or proof.

Usage notes emphasize that tõendit is typically used as the object of a sentence, for example: Ma esitasin tõendit. or Tõendit otsestakse varje süstuse korral. The plural form tõendid is used for multiple pieces of proof or documents. The word is common in official documents, court proceedings, insurance matters, and academic or scientific contexts when referring to proof or verification.

See also: tõend (the base noun), tõendus (evidence/proof), tõendada (to prove/certify).