Põrkavad

Põrkavad isse Estonian verb form derived from põrkama, meaning to rebound or bounce off a surface. It is the third-person plural present indicative form, used when the subject is plural and the action happens in the present. The verb põrkama covers both literal rebound, such as objects striking a surface and bouncing away, and figurative rebound, such as plans or efforts facing resistance and continuing in a different way.

Etymology and grammar

Põrkama belongs to the class of Estonian -ama verbs, with põrk- as the stem and -ama as the infinitive ending. In the present tense, the verb is conjugated like other -ma verbs; põrkavad specifically marks “they rebound.” For a single subject, forms such as põrkab (he/she rebounds) or põrkan (I rebound) are used.

Usage

In physical contexts, põrkavad describes multiple objects rebounding, for example: Kivid põrkavad vastu teed. (The stones rebound off the road.) In figurative language, it can describe how actions or plans meet obstacles and respond to them, as in phrases meaning that attempts bounce back or adapt after contact with resistance.

Related forms

Related nouns and adjectives include põrkamine (the act of rebounding), and põrkav (rebounding, rebounding in nature or behavior). These terms extend from the same root and share the core meaning of contact and rebound.

See also

Põrkama, põrkamine, põrkav.