täname

Täname is an Estonian verb form meaning “we thank.” It is the first-person plural present indicative form of the verb tänama, which means “to thank.” In usage, täname is a transitive verb and typically takes a direct object in the second person, such as teid (you). A common example is Täname teid abi eest, meaning “We thank you for your help.”

In practice, täname appears primarily in formal or written contexts, such as official statements, corporate communications, or polite acknowledgments. In everyday spoken Estonian, speakers more often use tänan (I thank) or aitäh (thanks) for informal gratitude, or tänan teid for a polite address to one or more recipients. The choice of formality and register reflects Estonian communicative norms, where täname conveys a collective, formal acknowledgment.

Etymologically, täname derives from the verb tänama, which is related to the noun tänu, meaning “thanks” or “gratitude.” The word is part of a small family of expressions centered on gratitude in Estonian. Related verb forms include tänan (I thank) and tänate (you thank), while tänu as a noun is used in phrases such as “suur tänu” (much thanks).