Weather Without a Subject
Sajab vihma means it is raining. Estonian has no word for this "it": the sentence starts with the verb.
How It Works
English needs a dummy it in "it is raining". Estonian has no such word: the verb is simply in the third person singular, and nothing stands in for "it".
What falls from the sky. With sadama (to fall as rain or snow), the rain or snow is what falls. It goes into the partitive, like the new thing in a there-is sentence:
- Sajab vihma. – It is raining.
- Sajab lund. – It is snowing.
- Sadas rahet. – It hailed.
- Hakkas sadama. – It started to rain.
You can also put the noun first: Vihma sajab.
Weather verbs that stand completely alone: müristab (it thunders), tuiskab (there is a snowstorm), külmetab (it is freezing). For changes, use läheb + the translative: Läheb pimedaks. (It is getting dark.)
Weather states use on + an adjective, with no subject: On külm. Täna on soe. Väljas on pime. You can also make ilm (weather) the subject: Ilm on ilus.
Some weather does have a normal subject: Päike paistab. (The sun is shining.) Tuul puhub. (The wind is blowing.)
Feeling the weather is different: On külm describes the weather, while Mul on külm means that you feel cold.
Examples (6)
- Väljas sajab vihma.
It is raining outside.
Word by Word: outside falls rain-PART
No word for "it"; vihma, the partitive of vihm, is what falls.
- Öösel sadas lund.
It snowed in the night.
- Täna on väga soe.
It is very warm today.
- Hakkas sadama, lähme tuppa!
It started raining, let's go inside!
- Eile oli külm ja tuuline.
Yesterday it was cold and windy.
- Kaugel müristab.
It is thundering in the distance.
Common Mistakes
Adding a word for English "it".
See sajab vihma.Sajab vihma.Estonian has no word for this "it". Start with the verb or with a time or place word.
Using see for "it" in a weather state.
See on täna külm.Täna on külm.See on külm means "this thing is cold". For the weather, leave out see.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Weather sentences use the partitive and on with adjectives.
Related Patterns
- Partitive (Part Form)
What falls from the sky is in the partitive: vihma, lund.
Level 1 - mul on külmFeeling Cold, Hungry or Bored
Mul on külm is about how you feel, not about the weather.
Level 2 - Times of Day with -l
Weather reports often say when: öösel sadas lund.
Level 2 - There Is Sentences
Sajab vihma works like a there-is sentence: what falls comes after the verb in the partitive.
Level 2 - Partitive Subject
Vihma in sajab vihma is partitive for the same reason as vett in klaasis on vett.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice Weather Without a Subject in Bubblegum
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