Kehastavad

Kehastavad is an Estonian linguistic form derived from the verb kehastama, meaning to embody, personify, or incarnate. In standard usage, kehastavad is the third-person plural present tense form of kehastama, translating roughly as “they embody” or “they personify.” The form can also function as a present participle in attributive or predicative positions, carrying the sense “embodying.”

Etymology and usage context: The verb kehastama expresses the idea of giving form or body to an abstract quality, idea, or character. In literature and discourse, kehastavad is used to describe persons, forces, or symbols that embody particular traits or ideals. As a participial or adjectival form, it can modify plural nouns: for example, “kehastavad jõud” means “embodying powers” or “those powers that embody.” The related noun kehastus means embodiment or personification, while kehastama is the base verb.

Grammatical notes: Kehastavad agrees in number with its subject, appearing in plural contexts. The related singular forms include kehastav (present participle/adjective) and kehastas, kehastasid in other tenses. In translation, kehastavad often conveys active agency—subjects that actively embody or personify a concept rather than merely representing it.

See also: kehastama, kehastus, personification.

Examples:

- Estonian: Need tegelased kehastavad vabaduse ideed.

- English: Those characters embody the ideas of freedom.