hoolitsen

Hoolitsen is the first-person singular present tense form of the Estonian verb hoolitsema, meaning to take care of, to look after, or to be concerned about someone or something. It is used to describe an action the speaker is performing in the present moment or in a general present context.

Etymology and form: The verb hoolitsema derives from the noun hoolitus, which conveys the idea of care or concern, combined with the infinitive suffix -ma. The present tense form for the first-person singular attaches the ending -n, yielding hoolitsen. The related forms include the plural and other persons, such as hoolitsed (you care), hoolitseb (he/she/it cares), and hoolitseme (we care).

Usage: Hoolitsen is a transitive verb and typically requires an object in the sense of a person or thing one cares for. Common constructions express caring for people, animals, or situations, or simply being concerned about something. Example sentences: Ma hoolitsen oma laste eest. (I take care of my children.) Ta hoolitseb selle eest. (He/She takes care of it.) The verb can also appear in imperative or other tenses when the subject differs.

Related terms: The noun hoolitus (care, concern) and the adjective hoolitsev (caring, attentive) are closely related. The infinitive form of the verb is hoolitsema, and common derived expressions use the same root to convey care or attentiveness in Estonian.