Tegevusnimi

Tegevusnimi is a term used in Estonian grammar to denote a nominalized form of a verb that names the action or process described by the verb. It is a type of noun derived from a verb and is used to refer to activities in a general or abstract sense. The most common tegevusnimi is formed with the suffix -mine attached to the verb stem, for example lugema → lugemine, kirjutama → kirjutamine, jooksmine from jooksema. Some verbs may undergo small stem changes, but the essential meaning remains the action or activity.

Tegevusnimed function as ordinary nouns in sentences. They can act as subjects or objects and take normal noun inflections for number and case. They are often employed to create a concise, formal style, particularly in academic or technical texts, by turning a verb into a noun phrase that refers to the act itself rather than to a specific performative event. Examples include: Lugemine on hea harjumus (Reading is a good habit) and Kirjutamine nõuab distsipliini (Writing requires discipline). Uurimine näitas uue seose olemasolu (The investigation showed the existence of a new link).

Tegevusnimi contrasts with the infinitive in that it behaves as a noun and can be pluralized and declined independently of the verb. As a fundamental concept in Estonian grammar, it helps speakers refer to actions as distinct entities and to build noun phrases that express processes and activities.