Tegevusnimed

Tegevusnimed, often translated as "action nouns" or "verbal nouns," are words in Estonian that function as nouns but are derived from verbs. They represent an action or a state of being, similar to infinitives, but are grammatically treated as nouns, allowing them to be used in various noun roles within a sentence. For example, they can be the subject of a sentence, the object of a verb, or follow a preposition.

These nouns are typically formed by adding suffixes to the verb stem. Common suffixes include -mine, -ne, and -tus. The suffix -mine is the most productive and frequently used for creating tegevusnimed. For instance, the verb "lugema" (to read) forms the tegevusnimi "lugemine" (the act of reading or reading). Similarly, "kirjutama" (to write) becomes "kirjutamine" (writing).

Tegevusnimed are essential for expressing abstract concepts and generalizing actions. They allow for more concise and varied sentence structures than relying solely on verb phrases. Understanding how to form and use tegevusnimed is a key aspect of mastering Estonian grammar, enabling speakers and writers to express themselves more fluently and precisely. They are a common feature in both spoken and written Estonian across various registers.