mõtlemist

Mõtlemist is the partitive singular form of mõtlemine, the Estonian noun for thinking, reflection, or the process of forming ideas. In everyday language, mõtlemine refers to the activity of reasoning, weighing possibilities, and attentive consideration, while mõtlemist specifically denotes thinking treated as an activity or a non-countable substance within a sentence.

In terms of grammar, mõtlemist is used when thinking is the object of an action or expressed as an indefinite amount. For example, phrases like “Mõtlemist on vaja enne otsuse tegemist” (Some thinking is needed before making a decision) or “Ta tegi mõtlemist enne vastuse andmist” illustrate how the form operates as a direct object or complement. The form contrasts with mõtlemine (the act of thinking in general) and mõte (a single thought or idea).

Philosophically and cognitively, mõtlemist encompasses processes such as reasoning, problem solving, planning, and reflective thinking. In these contexts, it is used to discuss how people form judgments, justify conclusions, or arrive at new understandings. The term is closely related to, but distinct from, related concepts like mõtte (a thought) and mõistmine (understanding), highlighting the difference between thinking as an ongoing activity and the products or results of thinking.

Overall, mõtlemist is a practical grammatical form that enables Estonian speakers to discuss thinking as a process or activity within sentences, while situating it within broader linguistic and intellectual contexts.