kehtestama

Kehtestama is an Estonian verb meaning to make something be in effect by establishing, enacting, or implementing it. It is commonly used in legal and organizational contexts to indicate that a rule, law, policy, standard, or price is being introduced and becomes binding or operative. The act of kehtestamine often implies moving from a proposal or draft to a formal, enforceable rule.

Etymology and meaning: the verb is formed from the stem keht- related to kehtima, which means to be in force or valid, plus a causative-like suffix. As such, kehtestama conveys causing something to become valid or in force, rather than simply describing its existence.

Usage and forms: kehtestama is transitive and takes a direct object such as seadus (law), eeskiri (rule), hind (price), or põhimõte (principle). In present tense, forms include kehtestan, kehtestad, kehtestab, kehtestame, kehtestate, kehtestavad. The past tense is kehtestas/kehtestasid, and the passive form kehtestatud is used for “has been enacted” or “is established.” In contrast, kehtima means “to be in force,” as in seadus kehtib (the law is in force).

Examples: Valitsus kehtestas uue maksuseaduse. Seadus kehtestati järgmisel kuul. Eeskiri kehtestati ettevõttes.

In summary, kehtestama denotes the act of bringing rules, standards, or prices into effect, while kehtima describes their ongoing status as operative or valid.