ma-Infinitive
The Ma-Infinitive (Dictionary Form)
Dictionary form: elama (to live), tulema (to come). After some verbs: Ma pean minema. Lähen sööma.
How It Works
The dictionary form. Every verb is listed in the ma-infinitive, and it always has the strong stem. Dictionaries also give the da-infinitive and the present, as in lugema, lugeda, loeb. See Key Forms of a Verb.
Verbs followed by the ma-infinitive.
- pidama (must): Ma pean minema. See Must (pidama).
- hakkama (to start): Laps hakkab nutma. See Starting To (hakkama).
- minema, tulema (to go or come somewhere to do something): Lähen poodi leiba ostma. Tule sööma! See Going to Do Something.
- jääma: Ta jäi magama. (He fell asleep.)
- õppima (to learn to): Ma õpin ujuma.
ma or da? These verbs are the exception. Wanting, being able, liking and most other verbs take the da-infinitive: Ma tahan minna, but Ma pean minema. See Which Infinitive?.
A family of forms. The -ma form has relatives with other case endings: lugemas (busy reading), lugemast (from reading), lugemata (without reading). See Busy Doing (-mas), Coming From Doing (-mast) and Without Doing (-mata).
Examples (6)
- Ma pean homme vara tõusma.
I have to get up early tomorrow.
pidama is followed by the ma-infinitive.
- Ma lähen poodi leiba ostma.
I'm going to the shop to buy bread.
A motion verb plus the ma-infinitive gives the purpose of going.
- Tule sööma!
Come and eat!
- Laps hakkab nutma.
The child starts to cry.
- Ma õpin autot juhtima.
I'm learning to drive a car.
- Ta jäi diivanil magama.
He fell asleep on the sofa. / She fell asleep on the sofa.
jääma magama means to fall asleep.
Common Mistakes
Using the da-infinitive after pidama.
Ma pean minna.Ma pean minema.pidama always takes the ma-infinitive.
Using the da-infinitive for the purpose of going.
Ma lähen poodi osta leiba.Ma lähen poodi leiba ostma.After minema and tulema, the thing you go to do is in the ma-infinitive.
Using the da-infinitive after hakkama.
Ta hakkab õppida.Ta hakkab õppima.hakkama takes the ma-infinitive.
How It Connects
Related Patterns
- da-InfinitiveThe Da-Infinitive
The other infinitive, used after most verbs.
Level 1 - ma- or da-InfinitiveWhich Infinitive?
How to choose between the two infinitives.
Level 2 - pidama + ma-InfinitiveMust (Pidama)
The most common verb followed by the ma-infinitive.
Level 2 - hakkama + ma-InfinitiveStarting to (Hakkama)
Starting an action with the ma-infinitive.
Level 2 - minema + ma-InfinitiveGoing to Do Something
Going somewhere to do something.
Level 2 - Key Forms of a Verb
The ma-infinitive is the first of the key verb forms.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice ma-Infinitive in Bubblegum
Poppy, your AI tutor, writes Estonian lessons at your level. Tap any grammar point in a lesson to see its full explanation.
