A2 · ma- ja da-tegevusnimi
Ma- and da-infinitives
Tahan õppida. Pean õppima. Learn which form to choose, practise the patterns, then test yourself.
Two forms, one verb
Estonian verbs have two common infinitive forms. Both can correspond to English “to …”. The word or expression before the infinitive helps you choose the right form.
õppima / õppida — to study
Ma tahan õppida. — I want to study.
Ma pean õppima. — I must study.
The ma in õppima is part of the verb. The separate word ma means “I”. They are different things.
1. Common patterns with the da-infinitive
Learn the expression together with the infinitive that follows it.
| Expression | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| tahan + da | Ma tahan õppida. | I want to study. |
| oskan + da | Ma oskan ujuda. | I know how to swim. |
| võin + da | Ma võin tulla. | I may / can come. |
| saan + da | Ma saan aidata. | I can help. |
| mulle meeldib + da | Mulle meeldib lugeda. | I like reading. |
| on vaja + da | Mul on vaja õppida. | I need to study. |
| on tore / raske / lihtne + da | Siin on tore elada. | It is nice to live here. |
Remember: The form is called the da-infinitive, but it may end in -da, -ta or -a: õppida, kuulata, süüa. Do not simply replace -ma with -da in every verb.
2. Common patterns with the ma-infinitive
| Expression | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| pean + ma | Ma pean õppima. | I must study. |
| hakkan + ma | Ma hakkan lugema. | I am going to start reading. |
| õpin + ma | Ma õpin ujuma. | I am learning to swim. |
| lähen + ma | Ma lähen sööma. | I am going to eat. |
| tulen + ma | Ma tulen mängima. | I am coming to play. |
With movement verbs such as minema and tulema, use the ma-infinitive to say what you are going or coming to do.
These are common starting patterns, not a complete list of every infinitive construction.
3. Learn the two forms together
| ma-infinitive | da-infinitive | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| õppima | õppida | study / learn |
| rääkima | rääkida | speak |
| lugema | lugeda | read |
| kirjutama | kirjutada | write |
| kuulama | kuulata | listen |
| vaatama | vaadata | watch / look |
| mängima | mängida | play |
| ujuma | ujuda | swim |
| sõitma | sõita | travel / drive |
| sööma | süüa | eat |
| jooma | juua | drink |
| tegema | teha | do / make |
| minema | minna | go |
| tulema | tulla | come |
| olema | olla | be |
| magama | magada | sleep |
Practise pairs aloud: sööma–süüa, tegema–teha, minema–minna.
4. Compare the meaning
Ma tahan ujuda. — I want to swim.
Ma õpin ujuma. — I am learning to swim.
Ma lähen ujuma. — I am going swimming.
Ma ei taha õppida. — I do not want to study.
Ma ei pea õppima. — I do not have to study.
Negating the first verb does not change which infinitive it takes: tahan / ei taha + õppida; pean / ei pea + õppima.
Practise ma or da
Write the complete infinitive in the gap. The verb in brackets gives you the meaning; choose the form required by the sentence.
Test your knowledge
Ready to see what you remember? Answer 12 mixed questions from this lesson without looking at the notes. Write the full ma- or da-infinitive required by each sentence.
No timer. Your score and explanations appear after you submit. This is a self-check, so you can try again whenever you like.
Grammar reference: EKI · da-tegevusnimi and verb form tables.