ma- or da-Infinitive

Which Infinitive?

Level 2

Ma pean minema, aga ma tahan jääda means I have to go, but I want to stay. Pidama takes -ma, and tahtma takes -da.

How It Works

Every Estonian verb has two infinitives: the ma-infinitive (elama, minema) and the da-infinitive (elada, minna). When two verbs stand together, the first one decides the form of the second.

The -ma group (the action is a goal ahead):

  • must: pidama (pean minema)
  • starting: hakkama (hakkan õppima)
  • moving: minema, tulema, jooksma, sõitma (lähen sööma)
  • staying: jääma (jäin magama)
  • learning and teaching: õppima, õpetama (õpin ujuma)
  • calling someone to do something: kutsuma (kutsus mind sööma)

The -da group (wanting, ability and permission):

  • tahtma (tahan jääda), võima (võin tulla), saama (saan aidata), oskama (oskan ujuda), tohtima (tohin minna)
  • liking and trying: meeldima (mulle meeldib lugeda), armastama, proovima, püüdma
  • deciding and promising: otsustama, lubama, unustama
  • phrases with olema: on vaja minna, on raske öelda, on huvitav õppida

Dictionaries list both infinitives, such as minema, minna and tegema, teha. Learn both forms from the start, because some da-infinitives change the stem.

Examples (6)

  1. Ma pean minema, aga ma tahan jääda.

    I have to go, but I want to stay.

    Pidama takes -ma; tahtma takes -da.

  2. Ma õpin autot juhtima.

    I am learning to drive a car.

    Õppima takes the ma-infinitive.

  3. Kas sa oskad ujuda?

    Can you swim?

    Oskama (know how to) takes the da-infinitive.

  4. Mulle meeldib lugeda.

    I like reading.

    Meeldima takes the da-infinitive.

  5. Jäin diivanil magama.

    I fell asleep on the sofa.

    Jääma takes the ma-infinitive.

  6. Eesti keelt on huvitav õppida.

    Estonian is interesting to learn.

    After an adjective with on, the da-infinitive is used.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the da-infinitive after pidama.

    Ma pean minna.
    Ma pean minema.

    pidama always takes the ma-infinitive.

  • Using the ma-infinitive after oskama.

    Ma oskan eesti keeles rääkima.
    Ma oskan eesti keeles rääkida.

    oskama belongs to the -da group with tahtma, võima and saama.

  • Using the ma-infinitive after meeldima.

    Mulle meeldib ujuma.
    Mulle meeldib ujuda.

    meeldima is followed by the da-infinitive.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

ma- or da-InfinitiveLevel 2Which Infinitive?

Learn This First

Choosing the infinitive compares the two verb groups.

Words in This Pattern

-mapidamahakkamatulemajäämaõppimatahtmavõimasaamaoskamatohtimameeldima