kaotsimineku

Kaotsimineku is an Estonian noun phrase referring to the act or state of losing something or someone, or to the occurrence of a loss. In standard usage it appears in expressions that describe what is lost and the consequences or risks associated with that loss.

Etymology and form: It derives from the verb kaotama ("to lose") and the noun kaotamine ("loss" or "to lose"). The form kaotsimineku is the genitive singular used to modify other nouns, for example kaotsimise mõju ("the impact of loss") or kaotsimineku risk ("the risk of loss").

Contexts and nuance: Kaotsimineku covers both tangible losses (property, data, profits) and intangible or emotional losses (bereavement, missed opportunities). In psychology, economics, law, and journalism the term appears in discussions of consequences, mitigation, and policy responses. It is often used in more formal or written Estonian contexts.

Related terms: kaotamine, kahjum, kahju, lein. In everyday Estonian, kaotamine and its inflected forms are more commonly used, while kaotsimineku appears mainly as a genitive form in compound expressions such as kaotsimineku mõju or kaotsimineku oht.