sõltub

Sõltub is the third-person singular present indicative form of the Estonian verb sõltuma, meaning “to depend.” The infinitive is sõltuma, and related forms include sõltun (I depend), sõltud (you depend), sõltub (he/she/it depends), sõltume (we depend), sõltute (you all depend), sõltuvad (they depend). The word is commonly used to express that a result or situation is conditional on another factor.

Usage and syntax: Sõltub introduces a dependence relationship in main clauses. The thing that the dependence rests on is typically expressed in the elative case, such as sellest, sinust, or oludest. Examples: See sõltub oludest. (This depends on the circumstances.) Sõltub sinust. (It depends on you.) See sõltub sellest, kuidas projekt edeneb. (It depends on how the project proceeds.) The negative form isក្ឍ formed with ei: See ei sõltu minust. (This does not depend on me.)

Notes: Sõltub is intransitive and governs its dependent element in the elative case. It can be followed by a subordinate clause introduced by siis, et, kas, or kuidas to specify the condition, as in See sõltub sellest, kas ilm on hea. The construction is versatile for expressing conditionality, causality, or contingency rather than obligation or necessity.

See also: sõltuvus (dependence), sõltuma (to depend), sõltuv (dependent).