mäelda

Mõelda is an Estonian verb meaning “to think” or “to have thoughts.” It describes the mental act of forming ideas, considering options, or holding an opinion. In everyday speech it appears in many common phrases, such as Ma mõtlen selle üle (I am thinking about it) or Ta mõtles järele (He thought it over).

Conjugation and forms: Mõelda is a regular verb of the first conjugation. Present tense forms include ma mõtlen, sa mõtled, ta mõtleb, me mõtleme, te mõtlete, nad mõtlevad. Past tense forms include ma mõtlesin, sa mõtlesid, ta mõtles, me mõtlesime, te mõtlesite, nad mõtlesid. The verb also participates in the perfect with the auxiliary olema, as in olen mõelnud (I have thought). Related nominal forms include mõte (a thought) and mõtlemine (thinking).

Usage and context: Mõelda governs both concrete thinking about a subject and more abstract contemplation. It commonly occurs with prepositional phrases such as mõelda millegi üle (to think about something) or mõelda millelegi (to have a thought about something). It can introduce clauses as in Ma arvan, et... (I think that...). While mõelda and arutlema share related meanings, mõelda emphasizes internal cognitive processing rather than external discussion.

Etymology and related languages: The verb originates in the Finnic language group and has cognates in other Finnic languages. Across the Finnic family, similar roots appear in constructions for thinking, considering, and reflecting.

See also: mõte, mõtlemine, arutelu.