tõotab

Tõotab is the third-person singular present tense form of the Estonian verb tõotama, meaning to promise or to vow. It is used when a subject asserts that they will do something or guarantee that something will happen. In Estonian, the infinitive is tõotama, and the present tense forms vary by person; for example, ta tõotab means “he/she promises.”

Etymology and related forms: tõotama is closely linked to the noun tõotus, which means a promise or vow. The verb and noun share the same root, reflecting the idea of giving a commitment or assurance. Related derivatives include other tense forms and participles built from the same root.

Usage: Tõotab appears in everyday speech, journalism, and literature whenever a promise or pledge is described. It is commonly followed by a clause introduced with et to report what is promised, for example: Ta tõotab, et tuleb hiljem (“He promises that he will come later”). The construction can convey casual assurances as well as more formal commitments, depending on context and tone.

Examples:

- Ta tõotab abi. (He promises help.)

- Ta tõotab, et tuleb varsti. (He promises that he will come soon.)

See also: tõotama, tõotus. The word tõotab is a grammatical form rather than a standalone lexical entry, but it is central to expressing commitment in Estonian.