Imetavad

Imetavad is an Estonian verb form meaning they nurse or they breastfeed. It is the present tense, third-person plural form (nad imetavad) of the verb imetama, which describes the act of nursing offspring. The term can refer to both human mothers and animal mothers that provide milk to their young.

Grammatically, imetama is a transitive verb that takes a direct object in the partitive case when describing the act of nursing. For example: Nad imetavad beebit (They nurse the baby). Emad imetavad lapsi (Mothers nurse the children). The form imetavad specifically marks plural third-person present, aligning with subjects like nad (they) or emad (mothers).

Usage notes, etymology, and scope: Imetama is used primarily to describe the act of nursing or suckling, typically in contexts involving infants or young animals. It is a neutral, factual term common in everyday speech, veterinary contexts, and discussions of child care. While the verb can appear in metaphoric or extended uses, its core sense remains tied to providing milk to offspring rather than broader caregiving actions.

See also: Estonian verb conjugation; imetama; Estonian grammar on transitive verbs and partitive direct objects.