-ata
-ata: Being Done Now
-ata means the action is going on and falls on this noun.
How It Works
| Verb | Participle | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| legi | legata | being read |
| fari | farata | being done |
| ami | amata | loved |
| viziti | vizitata | being visited |
The pair is -anta and -ata: la leganta knabo is the boy who reads, and la legata libro is the book that someone reads. Only verbs that can have an object have an -ata form. To name the doer, add de: la libro legata de Ana.
Amata shows a feeling that goes on: a beloved friend is a friend who is loved all the time.
A thing that happens by itself, such as okazi (happen), uses -anta: la okazanta festo.
Examples (4)
- La legata libro kuŝas sur la tablo.
The book that is being read is lying on the table.
Legata describes the book that someone reads.
- La farata laboro estas malfacila.
The work that is being done is difficult.
Farata describes the work in progress.
- Ewa skribas al sia amata amiko en Japanio.
Ewa writes to her beloved friend in Japan.
Amata describes the friend who is loved.
- La nun vizitata muzeo estas tre granda.
The museum that is being visited now is very big.
Nun makes the time of the visit clear.
Common Mistakes
Using a passive participle for a verb that has no object.
La okazata festo estas bonega.La okazanta festo estas bonega.Okazi cannot have an object, so it has no passive participle. A party that is taking place is okazanta.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The -ata participle describes the receiver of the action, so it needs transitive verbs.
Related Patterns
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice -ata in Bubblegum
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