Püüavad

Püüavad is an Estonian verb form that marks present tense for the third-person plural. It is derived from the verb püüda, which has several closely related meanings in Estonian, most commonly “to catch, seize” and, in a broader sense, “to try or strive.” Therefore, püüavad is used when referring to multiple subjects performing one of these actions.

In usage, püüavad can describe physical catching as well as figurative attempts. Examples include Nad püüavad kala (They catch/are catching fish) and Nad püüavad oma eesmärke saavutada (They strive to achieve their goals). The form is also used in contexts such as attempting to calm a crowd, for instance Nad püüavad rahvahulka rahustada (They try to calm the crowd).

Morphologically, püüavad is the present tense, third-person plural form of püüda. The corresponding finite forms in present tense for the other persons are: ma püüan, sa püüad, ta püüab, me püüame, te püüate. The verb belongs to the Finnic language family and shares roots with related Estonian forms that express effort, pursuit, or capture. Related noun forms include püüd (effort, attempt, pursuit) and püüdma-related derivatives.

See also: Estonian verb conjugation, püüda, püüd-.