Teadlik

Teadlik is an Estonian adjective meaning conscious or mindful, describing a state of awareness, deliberateness, or intentionality in thoughts, feelings, or actions. The form derives from the stem tead- “to know” with the suffix -lik, yielding “knowing” or “aware.” The corresponding noun is teadlikkus, meaning awareness or consciousness, while teadvus denotes consciousness in a broader or philosophical sense.

In everyday use, teadlik is common in discussions of behavior, learning, and self-development. It appears in phrases such as teadlik tarbimine (conscious consumption), teadlik toitumine (conscious eating), and teadlik elu (conscious living). In education and psychology, it can refer to metacognitive awareness or deliberate self-regulation, and it is often linked to notions of responsibility and choice.

Teadlik can be formed into adverbs as teadlikult, meaning “consciously” or “deliberately.” Its usage carries a neutral, descriptive tone rather than emotional judgment; it emphasizes awareness and intentionality rather than opinion. The term is widely used in Estonian media, self-help writing, and public discourse about sustainable living and personal development.

See also: teadlikkus, teadvus.