Jäävaid

Jäävaid is an Estonian grammatical form: the partitive plural form of the present participle jääv, which means remaining or left over. The participle jääv derives from the verb jääma, “to stay” or “to remain,” and when used attributively it describes something that still exists or remains in a given context.

In Estonian, participles can function like adjectives and are declined to agree with the noun they modify. The partitive plural form jäävaid is used before a plural noun in the partitive case to indicate an indefinite or non-specified quantity of remaining items. For example, jäävaid probleeme means “remaining problems,” jäävaid küsimusi means “remaining questions.” This form often appears in contexts that discuss unfinished work, inventory, plans, or a subset of items that persist after some change or action.

Usage notes: jäävaid is typically employed when the exact number is unknown or not fixed, or when speaking about a portion of something rather than the whole. It contrasts with jäävad, the third-person plural present-tense form of the verb jääma, which denotes that subjects themselves stay or remain rather than describing a characteristic of a noun.

Etymology and morphology: jääv is the present participle meaning “remaining.” The partitive plural ending -vaid attaches to this participle to form jäävaid, which then modifies a following noun in the partitive case.

Jäävaid is a standard, neutral term in Estonian grammar and is commonly found in written language, including education, journalism, and formal writing, where precise yet indefinite quantities are discussed.