Adjective + da-Infinitive
Easy to Say
Seda on lihtne öelda means "That is easy to say." The adjective lihtne is followed by the da-infinitive öelda.
How It Works
To say that an action is easy, hard, nice or possible, use this pattern:
(on) + adjective + da-infinitive
- Seda on lihtne öelda. (That is easy to say.)
- Eesti keelt on huvitav õppida. (Estonian is interesting to learn.)
- Seda on võimatu teha. (That is impossible to do.)
Common adjectives: lihtne, kerge (easy), raske (hard), tore, hea (nice, good), huvitav (interesting), võimatu (impossible).
Who finds it easy? Put the person in the adessive: Mul on raske ärgata. (It is hard for me to wake up.)
The same pattern follows some nouns: On aeg minna. (It is time to go.) Kahju kuulda. (Sorry to hear that.) Mul on hea meel sind näha. (I am glad to see you.) In short exclamations, on is dropped: Raske uskuda! Tore sind näha!
The object of the infinitive keeps its usual case, often the partitive: Eesti keelt on huvitav õppida.
Not every adjective works this way. valmis (ready) takes the ma-infinitive: Ma olen valmis minema.
Examples (6)
- Seda on lihtne öelda.
That is easy to say.
Word by Word: this is easy to-say
- Raske uskuda!
Hard to believe!
On is left out in a short exclamation.
- On aeg minna.
It's time to go.
- Eesti keelt on huvitav õppida.
Estonian is interesting to learn.
- Mul on hommikul raske ärgata.
It is hard for me to wake up in the morning.
The person goes in the adessive: mul.
- Kergem öelda kui teha.
Easier said than done.
A common saying that uses two da-infinitives.
Common Mistakes
Using the ma-infinitive after the adjective.
Seda on lihtne ütlema.Seda on lihtne öelda.Adjectives like lihtne and raske take the da-infinitive.
Using an adverb instead of the adjective.
Seda on lihtsalt öelda.Seda on lihtne öelda.Lihtsalt means "simply". For "easy to say", use the adjective lihtne.
Using the da-infinitive after valmis.
Ma olen valmis minna.Ma olen valmis minema.Valmis (ready) is an exception: it takes the ma-infinitive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
These adjectives take the da-infinitive.
Related Patterns
- ma- or da-InfinitiveWhich Infinitive?
The general rules for choosing between the two infinitives.
Level 2 - mul on külmFeeling Cold, Hungry or Bored
The same adessive "experiencer" pattern: mul on raske.
Level 2 - da-Infinitive as SubjectInfinitive as Subject
In Seda on lihtne öelda, the infinitive works like the subject.
Level 4 - on vajaNeeding (On Vaja)
Another on + da-infinitive pattern: Mul on vaja minna.
Level 2 - tuleb + da-InfinitiveHaving to (Tuleb)
A related pattern for things one has to do.
Level 3
Words in This Pattern
Practice Adjective + da-Infinitive in Bubblegum
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