Participle of Possibility (-tav)
Söödav seen means an edible mushroom. The -tav form describes something that the action is done to, or can be done to.
How It Works
The -tav (or -dav) participle describes a noun that an action is done to. It has two main meanings:
- Can be done: loetav käekiri (readable handwriting), söödav seen (edible mushroom), nähtav (visible), arusaadav (understandable)
- Is being done or is to be done: ehitatav sild (a bridge being built), müüdav korter (an apartment for sale), tehtav töö (work to be done)
How to build it. Start from the -tud form you already know and change -ud to -av:
- loetud → loetav
- söödud → söödav
- tehtud → tehtav
- ehitatud → ehitatav
- nähtud → nähtav
From aru saama you get arusaadav, written as one word.
Only verbs that can take an object have this form, because it always describes the thing that is acted on.
Compare the three participles of lugema:
- lugev laps – a child who is reading (-v: the one doing it)
- loetav raamat – a book that people read, or a readable book (-tav: now or possible)
- loetud raamat – a book that has been read (-tud: finished)
Like adjectives, -tav forms take case endings: söödavaid seeni, ehitataval sillal. The opposite, cannot be done, often uses -matu: loetamatu (unreadable).
Examples (6)
- Tema käekiri on vaevu loetav.
His handwriting is barely readable.
- Kas see seen on söödav?
Is this mushroom edible?
- Sinu mure on täiesti arusaadav.
Your worry is completely understandable.
- Ehitatav sild valmib järgmisel aastal.
The bridge that is being built will be finished next year.
Here -tav means the action is happening now.
- Ta korjas metsas ainult söödavaid seeni.
She picked only edible mushrooms in the forest.
Söödav declines like an adjective: söödavaid is the plural partitive.
- Kraanivesi on siin joodav.
The tap water here is drinkable.
Common Mistakes
Using the -v form for the thing that is acted on.
Tema käekiri on lugev.Tema käekiri on loetav.Lugev describes someone who reads. Handwriting is what gets read, so use loetav.
Using -tav for something already finished.
Ma müün oma loetavad raamatud.Ma müün oma loetud raamatud.Books you have already read are loetud. Loetav means readable or being read.
Forgetting to decline it.
Ta korjas ainult söödav seeni.Ta korjas ainult söödavaid seeni.A -tav participle agrees with its noun, here in the plural partitive.
How It Connects
Learn This First
-tav is the impersonal counterpart of -v.
Related Patterns
- -tud Form
The -tav form is built like the -tud form, but describes something possible or ongoing instead of finished.
Level 3 - Adjectives with -matu
The opposite meaning, cannot be done: loetamatu (unreadable).
Level 4 - Participle Phrases Instead of Clauses
A -tav form can carry its own words before a noun: kõigile arusaadav selgitus.
Level 4
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice Participle of Possibility (-tav) in Bubblegum
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