jäi

jäi is an Estonian verb form that functions as the past tense of jääma, the verb meaning to stay, remain, or to end up in a certain state. It is used with a third-person singular subject (ta jäi = he/she stayed). In everyday use, jäi appears in a wide range of contexts, from literal staying somewhere to describing outcomes or states that resulted in the past. Examples include Ta jäi koju (He/She stayed at home) and Me jäime hiljaks (We were late). The form is a common part of narrative and conversation.

Etymology and grammar: jä i comes from the verb jääma. The form is part of a finite past-tense paradigm in Estonian, with other persons and numbers expressed by related endings (for example, minä jäin, sina jäid, me jäime, te jäite, nad jäid). The stem jää- is tied to the core meaning of staying or remaining, and various constructions extend its use to figurative meanings such as remaining in a state or situation.

Usage notes: Jäi should not be confused with jää, the noun meaning ice, or with other unrelated words that look similar in Estonian orthography. Because Estonian verbs change shape to reflect person and number, jä i normally appears with an explicit subject, such as ta or nad, to indicate who performed the action in the past.

See also: jääma, jää, Estonian verbs, Estonian grammar.