Irregular da-Infinitives
Most verbs form the da-infinitive predictably (elama → elada), but some very common ones do not: sööma → süüa, jooma → juua, tegema → teha, nägema → näha.
How It Works
The da-infinitive follows many common verbs and phrases: tahtma (to want), võima (may), saama (to be able to), meeldima (to like), on vaja (it is necessary). That makes the irregular ones some of the most frequent verb forms in Estonian. Learn them in pairs:
- sööma → süüa (to eat), jooma → juua (to drink), tooma → tuua (to bring)
- tegema → teha (to do, to make), nägema → näha (to see)
- minema → minna (to go), tulema → tulla (to come), olema → olla (to be), panema → panna (to put)
- pesema → pesta (to wash)
Notice the groups. Verbs with long öö or oo change the vowel and have no d: süüa, juua, tuua. Tegema and nägema lose their g: teha, näha. Minema, tulema, olema and panema double the consonant instead of adding -da: minna, tulla, olla, panna. Pesema adds -ta: pesta.
Because the da-infinitive is a key form, other forms are built on it: teha → tehke (do it, to several people), minna → minge, tulla → tulge. The -nud forms of these verbs are worth learning too: söönud, joonud, teinud, näinud, läinud, tulnud, olnud.
Examples (6)
- Ma tahan süüa.
I want to eat.
- Kas sa tahad midagi juua?
Do you want something to drink?
- Mida sa tahad homme teha?
What do you want to do tomorrow?
- Mulle meeldib siin olla.
I like being here.
Meeldima is followed by the da-infinitive olla.
- Mul on vaja kohe minna.
I need to go right away.
On vaja is followed by the da-infinitive minna.
- Kas ma võin homme tulla?
May I come tomorrow?
Common Mistakes
Forming a regular-looking da-infinitive.
Ma tahan sööda.Ma tahan süüa.Sööma has the irregular da-infinitive süüa. There is no form sööda.
Using the ma-infinitive after tahtma.
Ma tahan tegema.Ma tahan teha.Tahtma takes the da-infinitive. The ma-infinitive belongs after verbs like minema and pidama.
Keeping the g of nägema.
Ma ei taha seda nägeda.Ma ei taha seda näha.The da-infinitive of nägema is näha, without g.
How It Connects
Learn This First
These are exceptions to the regular da-infinitive.
Related Patterns
- ma-InfinitiveThe Ma-Infinitive (Dictionary Form)
The partner form that these verbs are listed under.
Level 1 - ma- or da-InfinitiveWhich Infinitive?
Helps you choose which infinitive a verb takes.
Level 2 - Key Forms of a Verb
The da-infinitive is one of the four key forms.
Level 2 - meeldimaLiking (Mulle Meeldib)
Mulle meeldib is followed by a da-infinitive such as olla.
Level 1 - on vajaNeeding (On Vaja)
On vaja is followed by a da-infinitive such as minna.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice Irregular da-Infinitives in Bubblegum
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