nõustan

Nõustan is an Estonian verb meaning to advise or to counsel. It is used transitively, typically with a person or group as the recipient of guidance. The act can occur in personal, educational, legal, financial, or professional contexts, and it often implies offering recommendations, instructions, or assessments based on knowledge or expertise.

Etymology and usage notes: Nõustan is a native Estonian verb built from the noun nõu (advice, counsel) with standard Estonian verb formation. The word appears in formal and informal registers, and it is commonly found in sentences where someone provides guidance to another person or organization.

Conjugation and examples: In the present tense, common forms include nõustan, nõustad, nõustab, nõustame, nõustate, nõustavad. For example, “Ma nõustan sind investeerimisotsustes” means I advise you on investment decisions. “Ta nõustab ettevõtteid nõuete ja riskide osas” means He advises companies on requirements and risk. The verb can also appear in past and future tenses, as well as in participial forms such as nõustunud (advised) or nõustuv (advising), depending on the tense and aspect.

Related terms: Nõustaja refers to a person who acts as an adviser, while nõustamine denotes the act or process of advising. Nõustamine can also be used more broadly to describe consultation or guidance services offered by professionals.

See also: nõustama, nõu, nõustuskvalifikatsioon. Nõustan is commonly used in professional settings, but it also appears in everyday conversation when someone provides recommendations or guidance to others.