nõuda

Nõuda is an Estonian verb meaning to demand or require. It is used when someone asserts that something must be done or granted, often in formal or official contexts as well as in everyday speech.

Grammatical notes: Nõuda is transitive and commonly takes a direct object in the partitive case when the thing being demanded is indefinite, for example: ta nõudis õigust (he demanded justice). It can also introduce a subordinate clause with the conjunction et to specify the demand: ta nõudis, et töö tehti õigel ajal (he demanded that the work be done on time).

Conjugation overview: In the present tense, the forms are typically: ma nõuan, sa nõuad, ta nõuab, me nõuame, te nõuate, nad nõuavad. The past tense forms include: ma nõudsin, sa nõudsid, ta nõudis, me nõudsime, te nõudsite, nad nõudsid. The participle is nõutud, used in passive constructions such as “nõutud nõuded” (the demanded requirements).

Etymology and related forms: Nõuda is a native Estonian verb. It has cognates in other Finnic languages, notably Finnish vaatia, which similarly means to demand. The word is productive in compounds and related expressions such as nõudmised (demands), nõudlikkus (demandingness), and nõudma (to demand in other forms).

Usage context and notes: Nõuda conveys a relatively strong, sometimes assertive sense of entitlement or necessity. It appears in legal, political, and administrative language, as well as in personal discourse when emphasizing that a right, action, or concession must be granted. In more muted speech, softer verbs like paluma (to plead) or taotluse esitama (to apply/tresent) may be used depending on nuance.