tõsta

Tõsta is a commonly used Estonian verb meaning to lift, raise, or increase. It covers both physical actions, such as lifting a box, and figurative uses, such as increasing a price, a temperature, or a mood. The verb is transitive, requiring a direct object in sentences like tõsta raamat lauale (to lift the book onto the table) or tõsta hinda (to raise the price).

Grammatical basics: tõsta forms a regular transitive verb. Present tense: ma tõstan, sa tõstad, ta tõstab, me tõstame, te tõstate, nad tõstavad. Simple past: tõstsin, tõstsid, tõstis, tõstsime, tõstsite, tõstsid. Perfect aspect uses the auxiliary olema: olen tõstnud, oled tõstnud, on tõstnud, oleme tõstnud, olete tõstnud, on tõstnud. The past passive participle is tõstetud; the active past participle is tõstnud. The root is tõst-.

Usage notes: In addition to physical lifting, tõsta frequently pairs with nouns like hind (price), temperatuur (temperature), taset (level), and tuju (mood). The phrase tõsta tuju means to lift one's spirits. The verb can be used in the imperative: tõsta käsi (raise your hand). The opposite actions include langema or langetama, used to indicate decreases or lowering.

Related forms include tõstja (one who lifts), tõstmine (lifting, act of raising), and tõstuk (lifting device). The term is common across everyday speech, commerce, industry, and education in Estonian.