Valmistama

Valmistama is an Estonian verb meaning to prepare, to produce, or to make ready. It covers actions such as preparing a meal, organizing an event, or manufacturing goods. The exact sense depends on the context and the object that follows.

In grammar, valmistama is a transitive verb and combines with a direct object. It forms standard Estonian verb tenses, including present, past, and perfect. The present tense forms are: valmistan (I prepare), valmistad (you prepare), valmistab (he/she/it prepares), valmistame (we prepare), valmistate (you all prepare), valmistavad (they prepare). The past tense has forms like valmistasin, valmistasid, valmistas, valmistasime, valmistasite, valmistasid. The present perfect (have/has prepared) is formed with olema plus the -nud participle: olen valmistanud, oled valmistanud, on valmistanud, oleme valmistanud, olete valmistanud, on valmistanud.

Common uses include cooking (valmistada toit), event preparation, and manufacturing or production (valmistada kaup). The related noun forms are valmistamine (the act of preparing or producing), valmistus (manufacture/production), and valmistaja (producer or manufacturer). The adjective valminud means completed or ready, and the noun ettevalmistus refers to preparation in a broader sense.

Etymology traces valmistama to the stem valmis, meaning ready, with the infinitive suffix -ma. The word is widely used in everyday Estonian and appears in both practical instructions and formal writing.