hirmutama

Hirmutama is an Estonian verb meaning to frighten, scare, or intimidate someone. It describes the act of causing fear or a sense of fear in another person, through direct action, threats, or intimidating behavior. The verb is used transitively and often appears with a direct object in the accusative case, for example Ta hirmutab mind, meaning He frightens me.

Etymology and related forms: hirmutama is formed from the noun hirm (fear) with a productive verb-forming suffix, yielding the transitive verb “to cause fear.” Related forms include hirmutamine, the noun for “the act of frightening,” and hirmutav, an adjective meaning “frightening” or “intimidating.”

Usage and nuance: The term covers both literal fear and metaphorical intimidation, such as fear-based tactics in politics, media, or personal relationships. In discourse, hirmutamine can carry a negative connotation of manipulation or coercion, while milder expressions of fear may use less loaded vocabulary. It can be discussed in academic, journalistic, and everyday contexts.

Examples and notes: Present tense: Ta hirmutab mind. The form is commonly used to describe actions intended to deter or suppress others through fear. The noun hirmutamine and the adjective hirmutav are used to discuss the act and its qualities, respectively, while phrases like hirmutav jutt (a frightening speech) illustrate metaphorical use.

See also: hirm (fear), hirmutav (frightening), hirmutamine (the act of frightening).