Vahendit

Vahendit is the partitive singular form of the Estonian noun vahend, meaning a tool, instrument, device, or means used to perform a task or achieve a result. The term covers both physical implements (such as a hammer or a computer program used as a tool) and abstract means (such as a method or mechanism) employed to reach an objective. In Estonian grammar, vahendit is used as a partitive object form. It appears after verbs that require a partitive object or in expressions indicating quantity or necessity, such as "Vahendit on vaja" (a tool is needed) or "Ma kasutan vahendit" (I am using a tool). The plural forms are vahendid (nominative) and vahendeid (partitive).

Vahendit contrasts with vahend in its grammatical role rather than its meaning; vahend refers to the dictionary headword, whereas vahendit is the inflected form used in a sentence. The term also intersects with related words like tööriist (physical tool) and vahendid (means or instruments in a broader sense). In modern Estonian, the concept of vahend extends to digital tools and software as well as traditional instruments.