Töötavates

Töötavates is an Estonian present active participle form derived from the verb töötama, meaning to work or to operate. It functions as a participial adjective indicating that something is currently operating or in operation. The form is used with plural nouns in attributive phrases, describing multiple devices, systems, or processes that are active at the moment.

In usage, töödavates describes the state of the subject rather than the action itself, similar to English “operating” or “in operation.” It appears in technical and operational contexts where it is useful to emphasize that the items being discussed are functioning. The participle agrees in number with the noun it modifies, so it is commonly found in phrases where the head noun is plural.

Examples of usage include phrases such as töötavates seadmetes (“in operating devices”) or töötavates masinates (“in operating machines”). In these contexts, the phrase communicates that the equipment or machinery is active and under operation, often specifying conditions, statuses, or procedures relevant to functioning equipment. The form can also appear in sentences describing a broader operational environment, such as töötavates süsteemides, indicating active systems.

Töötavates is part of the broader Estonian system of present active participles, which provide a concise way to characterize nouns by their current action or state. For learners, recognizing its function as an adjective-like participle helps in understanding how Estonian describes ongoing activity within noun phrases.

See also: Estonian grammar, present active participles, töötama.