Adjectives with -matu
Uskuma means to believe. Uskumatu means unbelievable. Add -tu to the ma-infinitive: uskuma, uskumatu.
How It Works
Add -tu to the ma-infinitive:
- uskuma (believe) → uskumatu (unbelievable)
- taluma (bear) → talumatu (unbearable)
- unustama (forget) → unustamatu (unforgettable)
- vältima (avoid) → vältimatu (unavoidable)
- märkama (notice) → märkamatu (hard to notice)
A few words are shorter, like lõppema → lõpmatu (endless). Learn those as words.
These are real adjectives, so they take endings: uskumatu lugu, uskumatut lugu, uskumatud lood, uskumatuid lugusid. Add -lt for an adverb: Ta lahkus märkamatult. (She left without being noticed.) Uskumatult ilus! (Unbelievably beautiful!)
Compare the -mata form. It takes no case endings and usually means not done yet: lugemata raamat is an unread book. The -matu adjective takes endings and usually means that something cannot be done: lugematu hulk is a countless number, one too big to count.
The ending is -ma plus the suffix -tu, which means without: maitsetu (tasteless).
Examples (6)
- See on uskumatu lugu!
That's an unbelievable story!
- Kuumus oli talumatu.
The heat was unbearable.
- See oli unustamatu reis.
It was an unforgettable trip.
- Kass hiilis märkamatult tuppa.
The cat crept into the room unnoticed.
Märkamatult is the adverb made from märkamatu.
- Universum tundub lõpmatu.
The universe seems endless.
- Muutused on vältimatud.
Changes are unavoidable.
The adjective agrees with the plural subject: vältimatud.
Common Mistakes
Mixing up -matu and -mata.
Laual on lugematu raamat.Laual on lugemata raamat.Intended meaning: an unread book. Lugematu means countless; a book that has not been read yet is lugemata.
Forgetting the plural ending.
Need on uskumatu lood.Need on uskumatud lood.-matu words are adjectives, so they agree with the noun: uskumatud lood.
How It Connects
Learn This First
-matu combines -mata with the adjective idea of -tu.
Related Patterns
- Adverbs with -sti and -lt
Adding -lt gives adverbs like märkamatult.
Level 2 - ma-InfinitiveThe Ma-Infinitive (Dictionary Form)
The adjective is built on the ma-infinitive.
Level 1 - Participle of Possibility (-tav)
The -tav form often means it can be done: loetav; -matu is the negative idea.
Level 4 - Adjectives Agree with the Noun
-matu adjectives agree with their noun in case and number.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice Adjectives with -matu in Bubblegum
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