kaupmehe

Kaupmees is the Estonian term for a person who buys and sells goods for profit. The word is formed from kaup- (goods, trade) and mees (man) and is used to denote someone who engages in commerce. In Estonian grammar, kaupmees is the base form; the genitive singular is kaupmehe, and the plural is kaupmehed, with kaupluse and other forms used in different constructions.

Historically, kaupmehed were central to urban economies in Estonia and the Baltic region. In medieval towns such as Reval (Tallinn) and Tartu, local merchants participated in regional and international trade networks, including links with the Hanseatic League. They traded commodities such as timber, furs, amber, wax, honey, grains, and other goods, and often operated from market stalls, shops, or as traveling traders. Merchants sometimes organized into guilds or associations, which regulated prices, quality, and travel routes.

In modern Estonian usage, kaupmees remains a neutral term for a merchant or businessperson. It can refer to shop owners, traders, or entrepreneurs involved in buying and selling goods, whether in traditional retail or online commerce. While more specialized terms like ärimees (businessman) or ettevõtja (entrepreneur) are common, kaupmees persists as a straightforward, commonly understood descriptor of someone engaged in commerce.