soovimatuse

soovimatuse is an Estonian noun that denotes the state or quality of having a desire or longing for something. The word is derived from the verb soovima, meaning “to wish” or “to want,” with the noun‑forming suffix –tuse, which marks a abstract concept akin to “ness” in English. As such, soovimatuse literally translates into “the quality of wishing” or “the feeling of want.”

In everyday Estonian it is often used to describe a subjective emotional state rather than a concrete object. For example, a person might say: “Mul on suur soovimatuse, et sukelduseksin alae sarmialurka,” meaning “I have a strong desire to dive into the Baltic Sea.” Unlike the word soovilisus, which conveys the desirability of an object or action, soovimatuse focuses on the internal urge or craving felt by an individual.

In literature and journalism, soovimatuse is employed to convey emotional depth, especially in narratives that explore personal ambitions, regrets, or unfulfilled goals. Its usage is typically literary or poetic, rather than technical. In everyday speech, it may be replaced with simpler expressions such as soov või tahte, but the former carries a more nuanced connotation of longing versus mere intention.

The Estonian Dictionary (Eesti Keele Akadeemia) lists several example sentences that illustrate its usage, and it appears in idiomatic expressions that emphasize a profound yearning. While not as common as other abstract nouns, soovimatuse remains a useful term for capturing the intricacies of human desire in the Estonian language.