-tud Form
Keedetud muna means a boiled egg. The -tud form works like an adjective but does not take case endings before a noun.
How It Works
The -tud form (sometimes -dud) is the passive past participle. It describes something that an action was done to.
- tehtud töö (done work), suletud uks (a closed door), keedetud muna (a boiled egg), müüdud auto (a sold car), kasutatud auto (a used car)
Forming it: the choice between -tud and -dud matches the impersonal: räägitakse → räägitud, lauldakse → lauldud. It is one of the forms worth learning with each verb, because a few are special: tegema → tehtud, nägema → nähtud, jätma → jäetud, sööma → söödud.
Before a noun it never changes. The noun takes the ending: suletud uksega, renoveeritud majas, keedetud mune.
-nud or -tud? The -nud form describes the one who did or went through the action: väsinud laps (a tired child). The -tud form describes what the action was done to: kirjutatud kiri (a written letter).
After olema it builds the impersonal perfect (Kiri on kirjutatud) or describes a state (Pood on suletud, The shop is closed).
Examples (6)
- Tehtud töö, rahul meel.
Work done, mind at ease.
A well-known saying. Tehtud describes the work.
- Pood on suletud.
The shop is closed.
After on, suletud describes a state.
- Hommikusöögiks sõin keedetud muna.
I had a boiled egg for breakfast.
- Ostsin kasutatud auto.
I bought a used car.
- Me elame renoveeritud majas.
We live in a renovated house.
Only the noun takes the inessive ending: renoveeritud majas.
- Kas sa tahad värskelt pressitud mahla?
Do you want some freshly squeezed juice?
An adverb such as värskelt can come before the -tud form.
Common Mistakes
Adding a case ending to the -tud form before a noun.
Me elame renoveeritus majas.Me elame renoveeritud majas.A -tud form before a noun stays the same in every case. Only the noun changes.
Using -nud for the thing that was done.
Ta andis mulle kirjutanud kirja.Ta andis mulle kirjutatud kirja.The letter did not write anything; someone wrote it. Use -tud for the thing the action was done to.
How It Connects
Learn This First
The -tud form shares its stem with the impersonal past.
Related Patterns
- -nud Form
The active form for the one who did the action.
Level 2 - Impersonal Perfect
On plus the -tud form: something has been done.
Level 3 - Genitive Agent + -tud ParticipleDone by Someone (Ema Küpsetatud)
A genitive before the -tud form names who did it: ema küpsetatud kook.
Level 4 - Participle Phrases Instead of Clauses
A -tud phrase before a noun can replace a whole relative clause.
Level 4 - Is Done or Has Been Done
On suletud can mean has been closed or is closed.
Level 5
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Practice -tud Form in Bubblegum
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