erutuvad

Erutuvad is a present tense, third person plural form of the Estonian verb erutuma, which means to become excited, aroused, or agitated. It is used when the subject experiences a change of state rather than performing an action on an object. The verb erutuma is intransitive and can be used reflexively; erutuvad is formed with the plural suffix -vad.

Grammatical notes indicate that erutuvad describes a state change that affects multiple subjects, such as nad (they). While the core sense is emotional or physiological arousal, the form is also common in figurative uses to describe rising energy, tension, or interest in a situation. The construction typically does not require an explicit reflexive pronoun, though context can add adverbs or clauses to specify cause or manner.

In usage, erutuvad appears across registers from everyday speech to literary Estonian. Examples include sentences like Nad erutuvad peagi kuuldes head uudist, meaning they become excited soon after hearing the good news. Another example is Nad erutuvad kiiresti, kui näevad üllatust, describing a quick arousal of interest or emotion in response to surprise.

Related terms include erutama, the transitive counterpart meaning to excite or stimulate, and erutus, the noun form denoting arousal or excitement. The word hierarchy places erutuma and its forms within common Estonian vocabulary for describing changes in mental or physical state.