Õpetades

Õpetades is the present adverbial participle of the Estonian verb õpetama, meaning to teach. It is a non-finite form used to express that teaching occurs simultaneously with another action described in the main clause. In English it corresponds to phrases such as "while teaching" or "by teaching." The form is used to set the context or manner of the main action and does not constitute a separate finite verb.

Formation and usage: Õpetades is formed from the verb stem with a present adverbial participle ending, yielding the participle غالب form used to describe accompanying actions. In sentences, it can appear before or after the main clause and typically functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating how or under what circumstance the main action takes place. It is not declined for tense; the tense is carried by the finite verb in the main clause.

Examples: Õpetades lastele uusi mõisteid, hoidis ta tunni tähelepanu. This illustrates the meaning "while teaching children new concepts, he kept the class’s attention," showing simultaneous actions in a single sentence.

See also: In Estonian, other present adverbial participles include lugedes (while reading) and mängides (while playing). These forms share the same function of signaling attendant circumstances or manner in non-finite clauses.

Summary: Õpetades is a key non-finite form used to express concurrent teaching-related action in Estonian, enabling concise, nuanced sentences that convey how actions relate in time or manner without creating a separate finite clause.