Formal Let Us (-gem)

Level 5

Tulge! means come (to several people). Add -m and you get Tulgem! (Let us come!) This form sounds formal and a little solemn, like a speech or a toast.

How It Works

Take the you-all command and add -m:

  • olge → olgem (let us be)
  • minge → mingem (let us go)
  • tehke → tehkem (let us do)
  • sööge → söögem (let us eat)
  • alustage → alustagem (let us begin)

If the you-all command ends in -ge, the let's form ends in -gem. If it ends in -ke, it ends in -kem. So you only need to know the you-all command.

The negative uses ärgem with the same form: Ärgem unustagem! (Let us not forget!) Ärgem kiirustagem. (Let us not rush.)

Where it is used:

  • speeches and toasts: Tõstkem klaasid! (Let us raise our glasses!)
  • slogans and public appeals: Hoidkem loodust! (Let us protect nature!)
  • formal and academic writing: Vaadelgem nüüd teist näidet. (Let us now look at a second example.)

In everyday speech this form sounds too grand. Say Lähme! instead of Mingem!, and Ärme unustame or Ärme unusta instead of Ärgem unustagem. The set phrase Olgem ausad is the exception: people use it everywhere.

The -gem form also works for verbs of knowing and feeling, where the everyday we-form does not: Osakem seda hinnata! (Let us be able to appreciate it!)

Examples (6)

  1. Olgem ausad: see plaan ei tööta.

    Let's be honest: this plan isn't working.

  2. Tõstkem klaasid pruutpaari terviseks!

    Let us raise our glasses to the bride and groom!

    Word by Word: raise-let-us glasses bride-couple's to-health

  3. Ärgem unustagem, kust me tuleme.

    Let us not forget where we come from.

  4. Hoidkem loodust!

    Let us protect nature!

    A typical slogan. The command hoidke gets -m.

  5. Alustagem algusest.

    Let us begin at the beginning.

  6. Mingem koos edasi!

    Let us go forward together!

    In a conversation, you would say Lähme koos edasi!

Common Mistakes

  • Building the form from the wrong stem.

    Minegem koos!
    Mingem koos!

    The you-all command of minema is minge, so the let's form is mingem. Always start from the -ge or -ke command.

  • Mixing the formal negative with the everyday we-form.

    Ärgem unustame seda.
    Ärgem unustagem seda.

    Ärgem needs the -gem form after it. If you want everyday speech, use ärme with the we-form: Ärme unustame seda.

How It Connects

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Formal Let Us (-gem)Level 5

Learn This First

-gem is the formal let's.

Words in This Pattern

ärgemärme