kohustun

Kohustun is an Estonian verb meaning I undertake or I am obliged to. It is used to express a personal commitment or a duty arising from a promise, contract, or legal requirement. The form signals that the speaker takes on responsibility to perform a specified action.

The infinitive form is kohustuma. In the present tense, the first-person singular is kohustun, and other standard forms include kohustud (you undertake), kohustub (he/she undertakes), kohustume (we undertake), kohustute (you undertake, plural), and kohustuvad (they undertake). The past participle is kohustatud, which is used in constructions like olen kohustatud in the sense of I am obligated.

Etymology and relation to other terms: kohustun is derived from the noun kohustus, meaning obligation or duty. Related terms include kohustus (the obligation itself) and kohustatud (obligated), which functions as a participial adjective in various constructions.

Usage notes: In legal and formal contexts, kohustun frequently appears in statements of commitment or promises, for example, Ma kohustun järgima kokkulepet (I undertake to follow the agreement). In everyday speech, it can express a personal pledge, such as Ma kohustun aidama sind (I undertake to help you). The nuance distinguishes internal commitment (kohustun) from external duty or obligation (kohustatud).

See also: kohustus, kohustuma, kohustatud.