Talking About the Future
Homme sajab means it will rain tomorrow. Estonian uses the present tense for the future, and the context or a time word shows when.
How It Works
The present does the job. Estonian has no separate future tense. Use the present tense with a time word:
- Homme sajab. (It will rain tomorrow.)
- Ma helistan sulle õhtul. (I will call you this evening.)
A finished result points ahead. With a whole object or a word like valmis, the present often means a result that will be reached: Kirjutan kirja homme valmis. (I will finish writing the letter tomorrow.)
hakkama + ma-infinitive. hakkama means to begin, and it is also used for a new activity that will take place in the future: Järgmisel aastal hakkan ülikoolis käima. (Next year I will start going to university.) Siin hakkab elama uus pere. (A new family is going to live here.)
saab olema. saama with olema is heard in speech and the media: See saab olema pikk päev. Language advisers have long called it an unnecessary German-style form, so careful style prefers the present: See on pikk päev. Do not extend it to other verbs: saama cannot build a future with verbs of doing.
Examples (6)
- Homme sajab.
It will rain tomorrow.
Word by Word: tomorrow rains
The present tense with a time word.
- Ma helistan sulle õhtul.
I will call you this evening.
- Kirjutan kirja homme valmis.
I will finish writing the letter tomorrow.
The whole object and valmis show a result that is still to come.
- Järgmisel aastal hakkan ülikoolis käima.
Next year I will start going to university.
- Siin hakkab elama uus pere.
A new family is going to live here.
- See saab olema pikk päev.
It is going to be a long day.
Common in speech; careful style says See on pikk päev.
Common Mistakes
Building a future with saama and a verb of doing.
Ma saan homme sulle helistama.Ma helistan sulle homme.saama does not form a future with verbs of doing. Use the present with a time word.
Using the da-infinitive after hakkama.
Järgmisel aastal hakkan ülikoolis käia.Järgmisel aastal hakkan ülikoolis käima.hakkama always takes the ma-infinitive: käima, not käia.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The future uses the present or hakkama.
Related Patterns
- täna / homme / eileBasic Time Words
Time words show that the present means later.
Level 1 - Whole Object in the Genitive
A whole object makes the present point to a future result.
Level 2 - saamaThe Many Uses of Saama
The verb saama and its many other meanings.
Level 3 - on tulemasOn Its Way (On Tulemas)
olema with the -mas form says something is about to happen.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice Talking About the Future in Bubblegum
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