The -ma infinitive

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Lesson outline

1.When to use the -ma infinitive?

When to use the -ma infinitive?

The -ma infinitive is used in the following instances:

1) after verbs of motion, such as:

English	Estonian
to go	minema
to come	tulema
to run	jooksma
to drive, ride	sõitma
to sit	istuma
to put, set	panema

Ma lähen välja sööma. --- I will go out to eat.
Pane raadio mängima. --- Turn the radio on. (lit: put the radio to play)
Ma tulin siia pidutsema. --- I came here to party.

2) after certain other verbs, such as:

English	Estonian
to begin	hakkama
to happen	juhtuma
to leave	jätma
to remain	jääma
to invite	kutsuma
to be suitable	kõlbama
to have to / must	pidama
to force	sundima
to teach	õpetama
to learn, study	õppima

Ma hakkan varsti minema. --- I'll start going soon. (lit: I will begin to go soon).
Sa pead raamatu läbi lugema. --- You must finish reading the book.
Ma õpin laulma. --- I am learning to sing.

3) after certain adjectives or participles:

English	Estonian
accustomed, used to	harjunud
willing	nõus
capable, skilled	osav
forced	sunnitud
ready	valmis

Ma olen valmis minema. --- I am ready to go.
Ma olin sunnitud siia tulema. --- I was forced to come here.
Ma olen harjunud vara ärkama. --- I am used to getting up early.