tõotad

Tõotad is the Estonian verb form meaning “you promise.” It is the second-person singular present indicative form of the verb tõotama, which means to promise or pledge. As a regular verb, tõotama conjugates in the standard Estonian pattern, with tõotad expressing a current commitment made by the person addressed.

Etymology and related forms: The word is built on the root tõot-, linked to the noun tõotus, meaning a promise or pledge. Related forms include täita tõotus (to fulfill a promise) and the participles tõotav (promising) and tõotatud (promised). The form tõotad specifically denotes the act of promising performed by you in the present moment or as a general statement about your habitual behavior.

Usage and grammar: Tõotad is used to indicate a commitment to perform a future action or to assure someone of a future action. It can appear with objects or with infinitives, for example: “Sa tõotad mind aidata” (You promise to help me). It can also introduce subordinate clauses with et: “Sa tõotad, et tuled homme” (You promise that you will come tomorrow). Like other Estonian verbs, it agrees with the subject and does not require an auxiliary verb in simple present tense.

See also: The related noun is tõotus (promise). The verb tõotama is the base form, and other conjugations include tõotan, tõotad, tõotab, tõotame, tõotate, tõotavad. Related concepts include the broader family of Estonian commitment verbs and phrases for making and keeping promises.

Notes: The accents and diacritics (õ, ä) are characteristic of Estonian orthography and influence pronunciation and meaning.