tahtlik

Tahtlik is an Estonian adjective meaning deliberately intended, purposeful, or willful. It describes actions, decisions, or intentions that are not accidental. The term is used in everyday speech as well as in formal contexts such as law, philosophy, and literature to emphasize intentionality. The adverb form is tahtlikult, used to describe actions done on purpose.

Etymology and related forms: Tahtlik derives from Estonian tahe or tahta, meaning to want or to will, and uses the suffix -lik to form an adjective. It is related to cognates in other Finnic languages, notably Finnish tahallinen, meaning deliberate or intentional, with related nouns such as tahto (will, desire) and tahota (to want).

Usage notes: In neutral use, tahtlik communicates that an action was performed with deliberate intent. In moral or legal contexts, it implies that the actor consciously chose a course of action, often suggesting awareness and potential culpability. Common phrases include tahtlik tegu (a deliberate act) and Ta tegi seda tahtlikult (He did this deliberately). Antonyms include juhuslik or juhuslikult, indicating something accidental or by chance.

Examples:

- Tegu oli tahtlik. The act was deliberate.

- Tahtlikult varjas ta asja. He deliberately hid the matter.

- See liiklusõnnetus oli tahtlik, kui see kinnitatakse. If proven, the traffic accident was deliberate.