süütunde

Süütunne is an Estonian noun that denotes the sense of guilt or moral self-evaluation that a person experiences after perceiving that they have caused harm or violated a norm. The form süütunde is a common inflected variant used in sentences, while the base term süütunne is the dictionary entry. The concept encompasses emotional discomfort, self-judgment, and a cognitive appraisal of one’s actions in relation to social or personal standards.

Etymology: The term combines sü 'blame' or 'fault' and tunne 'feeling' or 'sense', reflecting its roots in moral emotion and self-awareness.

Usage: In psychology, süütunne is discussed as a moral emotion that can motivate reparative behavior and adherence to norms, but it can also contribute to distress or maladaptive self-criticism when excessive. In literature and cultural analysis, the concept appears as a motif of conscience, guilt-driven decision making, or social judgment. It is often contrasted with remorse, which implies a sense of regret and desire for repair.

Cross-cultural comparison: Equivalents include the English 'sense of guilt' and the German 'Schuldgefühl'; cross-linguistic study notes that cultures differ in the intensity and social functions of guilt. In Estonian contexts, süütunne is typically framed within ethical, religious, or social norms.

See also: sense of guilt, moral emotions, remorse, Schuldgefühl.