Mõistsime

Mõistsime is an Estonian verb form that means "we understood." It is the first-person plural past tense of the verb mõistma, which means to understand, grasp, or realize. The infinitive is mõistma, and the past tense form for the first person plural is mõistsime.

In use, mõistsime expresses a completed understanding by a group including the speaker. The subject is often omitted in Estonian when it is clear from context, so sentences can simply start with mõistsime. Examples include: Me mõistsime, et olukord on keeruline. Mõistsime, miks asjad nii on. These sentences illustrate understanding of a situation or realization about a preceding statement or event.

Formally, mõistsime is formed from the stem mõist- plus the ending -ime, which marks first-person plural past tense. It contrasts with other past-tense forms of mõistma, such as mõistsid (you understood) or mõistsime (we understood). The word is used across registers, from everyday speech to written texts, and its meaning can be literal (comprehension) or figurative (realizing a fact or a consequence).

Overall, mõistsime functions as a standard past-tense verb form in Estonian, enabling speakers to convey collective understanding at a specific time in the past. Its usage is straightforward in narrative and descriptive contexts, and it integrates smoothly with subordinate clauses to explain why or what was understood.