kohustada

Kohustada is an Estonian verb meaning to obligate, require, or compel someone to do something. It is a transitive verb used in formal and legal contexts to impose duties or duties on a person or organization. The action expressed by kohustada often arises from law, contract, or an authority’s directive. The noun kohustus (obligation, duty) shares the same semantic field, and kohustada is formed from this root with the typical verb suffix.

Usage and nuance: The verb is common in legislative, administrative, and contractual language. An example is Seadus kohustab tööandjat maksma palka töötajale (The law obligates the employer to pay wages). The passive form is frequently used: Tööandjat kohustatakse maksma palka. This emphasizes the obligation as something imposed rather than personally demanded. Adjectival forms related to the concept include kohustuslik (obligatory) and kohustatud (obligated, obliged).

Grammar: Kohustada is a finite verb with standard Estonian conjugation. Present tense forms include ma kohustan, sa kohustad, ta kohustab, me kohustame, te kohustate, nad kohustavad. Past tense forms include kohustasin, kohustasid, kohustas, kohustasime, kohustasite, kohustasid. The verb also occurs in passive constructions (kohustatakse) to indicate that the obligation is imposed by an external authority.

See also: kohustus, kohustuslik, kohustatud.