Leaving Out ma and sa

Leaving Out the Pronoun

Level 2

Tulen homme means I am coming tomorrow. The ending -n shows the subject is "I", so ma is not needed.

How It Works

In a positive sentence, the verb ending shows the person: tule-n (I come), tule-d (you come), tule-me (we come), tule-te (you all come). So ma, sa, me, te can be left out.

  • Tulen homme. = Ma tulen homme.
  • Kas räägid inglise keelt? = Kas sa räägid inglise keelt?
  • Läksime eile randa. = Me läksime eile randa.

Both versions are correct, in speech and in writing. Leaving the pronoun out is especially common in short replies, messages and letters: Kirjutan Teile, et ...

When to keep the pronoun:

  • For contrast or emphasis, use the long forms: Mina jään koju, aga sina mine poodi.
  • In negative sentences. ei tule is the same for every person, so the pronoun shows who: Ma ei tule. Ta ei tule. In a quick answer, the question already makes it clear: Kas sa tuled? — Ei tule.
  • With ta and nad. The ending -b shows "he/she", but not which person, so a new or changed subject needs ta, nad or a name. Leave it out only when the same person continues.

Examples (6)

  1. Tulen homme.

    I am coming tomorrow.

    The ending -n shows "I".

  2. Kas räägid inglise keelt?

    Do you speak English?

    The ending -d shows "you".

  3. Läksime eile randa.

    We went to the beach yesterday.

    The past ending -sime shows "we".

  4. Kas olete Tallinnast?

    Are you from Tallinn?

    The ending -te shows plural or polite "you".

  5. Mina jään koju, aga sina mine poodi.

    I will stay home, but you go to the shop.

    Contrast needs the long pronouns mina and sina.

  6. Kas sa tuled? — Ei tule.

    Are you coming? — No, I'm not.

    In a short answer the question shows who ei tule refers to.

Common Mistakes

  • Using an ending that does not match the person.

    Ma lähed homme poodi.
    Ma lähen homme poodi.

    The ending must match the person, with or without ma. -d is for "you"; "I" needs -n: lähen. Once the ending is right, ma can drop: Lähen homme poodi.

  • Dropping the pronouns when you contrast two people.

    Jään koju, aga lähed poodi.
    Mina jään koju, aga sina lähed poodi.

    When two people are set against each other, the pronouns carry the contrast. Use the long forms mina and sina.

How It Connects

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Leaving Out ma and saLevel 2Leaving Out the Pronoun

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The ending shows the person, so the pronoun can go.

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Words in This Pattern

metenad