Kauplevad

Kauplevad is the present active participle plural of the Estonian verb kauplema, meaning to trade. It functions as an adjective or a predicative phrase that describes a person or group engaged in trading. In standard Estonian, the common noun for a trader is kaupleja, with kauplejad as the plural; kauplevad is less commonly used as a standalone noun and is primarily a participial form.

Morphology and usage: The form is created by adding the suffix -vad to the verb stem kauple-, signaling present ongoing action. It agrees with the noun it modifies in number, so you can find phrases like kauplevad inimesed or kauplevad ettevõtted. The participle can be used attributively to describe subjects in descriptive clauses or headlines, where it adds a dynamic sense of activity.

Usage notes: In everyday language, speakers typically prefer kauplejad for literal “traders.” Kauplevad is more common in written text, formal descriptions, or contexts emphasizing the activity of trading. It can convey immediacy or ongoing process, which is useful in narratives about markets, commerce, or business groups.

Examples:

- Kauplevad inimesed otsisid uusi turge. (The traders [people who trade] sought new markets.)

- Kauplevad ettevõtted otsisid partnerlusi ja laienemisnõuandeid. (Trading companies sought partnerships and expansion advice.)

- Laadal olid esindatud mitu kauplevad organisatsiooni. (Several trading organizations were represented at the fair.)

See also: kauplema, kaupleja, kauplejad, kauplemine.