on tulemas

On Its Way (On Tulemas)

Level 5

Talv on tulemas means winter is on its way. The -mas form with olema shows a process that has started or is just about to.

How It Works

olema plus the -mas form can show a process that is happening at this moment:

  • Talv on tulemas. (Winter is on its way.)
  • Hinnad on jälle tõusmas. (Prices are rising again.)
  • Midagi on muutumas. (Something is changing.)

With a change from one state to another, it means that the change is about to happen:

  • Laps on uinumas. (The child is falling asleep.)
  • Päike on juba loojumas. (The sun is already setting.)
  • Buss on tulemas. (The bus is coming.)

It works in the past too: Kui me kohale jõudsime, oli kontsert juba lõppemas. (When we arrived, the concert was already ending.)

With an ordinary action verb, the same form means being away to do something: Juku on suusatamas means Juku is out skiing. For an activity you are doing right now, use the present tense: Ma loen praegu raamatut. (I'm reading a book right now.)

Examples (6)

  1. Talv on tulemas.

    Winter is on its way.

    Word by Word: winter is coming.MAS

  2. Päike on juba loojumas.

    The sun is already setting.

  3. Laps on uinumas, räägi vaiksemalt.

    The child is falling asleep, speak more quietly.

  4. Hinnad on jälle tõusmas.

    Prices are rising again.

  5. Kui me kohale jõudsime, oli kontsert juba lõppemas.

    When we arrived, the concert was already ending.

  6. Linnas on midagi muutumas.

    Something is changing in the city.

Common Mistakes

  • Using olema + -mas like the English -ing form for an activity.

    Ma olen praegu raamatut lugemas.
    Ma loen praegu raamatut.

    Intended meaning: I'm reading a book right now. Estonian uses the plain present for an activity happening now. With an active verb like lugema, the -mas phrase sounds like a copy of English, or like being away somewhere to read.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

on tulemasLevel 5On Its Way (On Tulemas)

Learn This First

on + -mas describes something underway.

Words in This Pattern

olema