Võtame

Võtame is the first-person plural present tense form of the Estonian verb võtma, meaning to take. It is used to say “we take” and, in informal speech, to propose an action as in a suggestion or plan, for example in constructions like “let us take …” or “shall we take this.”

Etymology and meaning: Võtma is a Finnic verb, with võtame forming the standard Estonian 1st person plural present tense. Its meaning encompasses taking physical objects as well as figurative takes such as taking a step, taking part, or taking an approach. The form is regular within Estonian verb conjugation patterns.

Grammar: Estonian presents do not require a dedicated future tense; present tense forms are often used for future meaning. The present tense conjugation of võtma is: ma võtan, sa võtad, ta võtab, me võtame, te võtate, nad võtavad. The past tense forms include võtsin, võtsid, võttis, võtsime, võtsite, võtsid. The verb also participates in common collocations and idioms built with particles or prepositional phrases.

Usage and common phrases: Võtma is versatile in both literal and figurative contexts. Common collocations include võta midagi (to take something), võtta kaasa (to take along), võtta vastu (to accept), võtta osa millest (to take part in), and arvesse võtma (to take into account). These phrases illustrate how võtma connects with other elements to express a range of actions.

Examples:

- Ma võtan kohvi. (I take coffee / I’ll have coffee.)

- Võtke see kaasa. (Take this along.)

- Ta võtab vastu kutse. (He/she accepts the invitation.)

- Me võtsime kursusest osa. (We took part in the course.)