Fixed Verb Expressions
Aru saama means to understand, though aru is a noun. Learn the verb and noun together, like a single word.
How It Works
Expression verbs pair a verb with a noun in a fixed case form. Together they mean one thing.
- aru saama — to understand: Kas sa said aru? Ma ei saa sellest aru.
- meeles pidama — to keep in mind: Pea seda meeles!
- silma paistma — to stand out: Ta paistis silma oma julgusega.
- osa võtma — to take part (in): Kõik võtsid koosolekust osa.
- nõu andma — to give advice: Arst andis mulle head nõu.
Learn the case that goes with each. Aru saama and osa võtma take the elative: sellest aru saama, võistlusest osa võtma. Silma paistma uses -ga for what someone is noticed for. Nõu andma takes the allative for the person: mulle nõu andma.
Word order is the same as for particle verbs. In a main clause the noun part goes to the end: Ma saan aru. Before a -nud form or an infinitive, it comes right before that form: Ma olen sellest aru saanud. Ma tahan osa võtta.
Spelling. The parts are written as separate words in every verb form: olid aru saanud, silmas pidada. Some adjectives made from them have become words of their own and are written together, such as silmapaistev (outstanding).
Examples (6)
- Kas sa said aru?
Did you understand?
Aru saama is one expression meaning to understand.
- Ma ei saa sellest aru.
I don't understand this.
Aru saama takes the elative: sellest.
- Pea seda meeles!
Keep that in mind!
Meeles pidama: meeles goes to the end in a command.
- Ta paistis silma oma julgusega.
She stood out for her courage.
Silma paistma uses -ga for what someone stands out with.
- Kõik töötajad võtsid koosolekust osa.
All the employees took part in the meeting.
Osa võtma takes the elative: koosolekust.
- Arst andis mulle head nõu.
The doctor gave me good advice.
The noun part can take an adjective: head nõu.
Common Mistakes
Putting the noun part before a one-word verb in a main clause.
Ma aru saan.Ma saan aru.Like a particle, aru goes to the end of a main clause with a one-word verb.
Using the wrong case with osa võtma.
Ta võttis võistlusel osa.Ta võttis võistlusest osa.Osa võtma takes the elative. The adessive belongs to the verb osalema: Ta osales võistlusel.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Fixed verb expressions are like particle verbs with a noun.
Related Patterns
- Where the Particle Goes
The noun part follows the same order rules as a particle.
Level 4 - Verbs That Take the Elative
Aru saama and osa võtma take the elative.
Level 3 - Remembering and Forgetting
Mul on meeles uses the same meeles form in a have-type sentence.
Level 3 - One Word or Two
When word combinations are written as one word or two.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Fixed Verb Expressions in Bubblegum
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