-gi on a Verb
As Expected (-gi on a Verb)
Ta tuligi means he did come, just as we thought. -gi on the verb confirms an expectation.
How It Works
You already know -gi/-ki as too or even on nouns. On a verb, it adds a feeling:
- As expected, sure enough: Ta tuligi. (He did come, as we thought.) Buss läkski ilma meieta. (The bus left without us, just as we feared.)
- I was right: Ma teadsingi! (I knew it!)
- That is exactly it: Nii see ongi. (That's just how it is.)
- With ei, not after all: Ta ei helistanudki. (She never did call.)
-gi or -ki? The same spelling rule applies as on other words. After b, d, g, p, t, k, s, h, f (and the rare š, z, ž) write -ki. After vowels and other consonants write -gi:
- tuli → tuligi, on → ongi, teadsin → teadsingi
- läks → läkski, tulid → tulidki, tuleb → tulebki, helistanud → helistanudki
The ending always goes at the very end of the verb and is written as one word with it.
Examples (6)
- Ta tuligi!
He did come after all!
Tuli ends in a vowel, so -gi.
- Nii see ongi.
That's just how it is.
On ends in n, so -gi.
- Ma teadsingi!
I knew it!
Teadsin ends in n, so -gi.
- Buss läkski ilma meieta.
Sure enough, the bus left without us.
Läks ends in s, so -ki.
- Ta lubas helistada, aga ei helistanudki.
She promised to call, but she never did.
Helistanud ends in d, so -ki; with ei it means not after all.
- Lähmegi!
Let's go, then!
Here -gi adds a sense of finally doing it.
Common Mistakes
Choosing -gi after a voiceless consonant.
Buss läksgi ilma meieta.Buss läkski ilma meieta.Läks ends in s, so the ending is -ki: läkski.
Writing the ending as a separate word.
Ma teadsin gi!Ma teadsingi!-gi/-ki is an ending, not a word. It is always joined to the verb.
How It Connects
Learn This First
-gi on a verb is a further use of -gi.
Related Patterns
- ju / küll / vist / ometiParticles Ju, Küll, Vist, Ometi
Other small words that add feeling to a sentence.
Level 3 - Strong Negation (üldse, sugugi)Strong Negation
Sugugi and ühtegi also carry -gi and strengthen a negation.
Level 5 - ammugiLet Alone (Ammugi)
Another word built with -gi: let alone.
Level 5 - b, d, g / p, t, kSpelling B, D, G and P, T, K
Why b, d and g count as voiceless for this spelling rule.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice -gi on a Verb in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Estonian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
