hoidumise

Hoidumine is an Estonian noun referring to the act of avoiding or abstaining from something. It denotes deliberate restraint intended to prevent harm, reduce risk, or uphold personal, public, or moral standards. In everyday language, hoidumine can describe avoidance of particular behaviors, substances, or situations.

Grammatical usage: The form hoidumise is the genitive singular, used in phrases like hoidumise eesmärk (the aim of avoidance) or hoidumise vajadus (the need to abstain). The term derives from the verb hoidma (to keep, to hold) and the reflexive form hoiduma (to refrain or abstain). In English, equivalents include avoidance, abstinence, or restraint, depending on context.

Contexts: Medical and public health guidelines frequently advise hoidumine from risk factors such as tobacco, excessive alcohol, illicit drugs, or unsafe sexual practices. In occupational safety, hoidumine describes keeping away from hazardous tasks and environments. In psychology, it can refer to avoidance as a coping mechanism or a behavioral pattern.

Relation and usage: The concept is related to abstinence, avoidance behavior, restraint, and self-control. It appears in legal, educational, and health-related texts, often in compound terms indicating the specific object of avoidance, such as hoidumine alkoholist or hoidumine suitsetamisest. Overall, hoidumine captures the general idea of voluntary restraint aimed at preventing harm or promoting well-being.