jõustuvad

Jõustuvad is an Estonian verb form that means "they become stronger" or "they gain strength." It is the present tense, third-person plural form of the verb jõustuma, which denotes a process of increasing power, capacity, or resilience. The form is typically used with plural subjects such as people, groups, or objects described as becoming stronger or more capable.

Etymology and morphology: Jõustuma is built from the noun jõud, meaning strength or power, combined with a suffix that marks a process or change. Jõustuvad appears when the subject is plural in the present tense. The corresponding singular present form is jõustub, and related tenses and participles derive from the same root (for example, jõustunud as the past participle meaning “strengthened” or “strengthened,” and jõustunud as a predicate adjective in some contexts).

Usage and nuance: The verb can describe physical strengthening through training, mental or moral strengthening, or the figurative strengthening of institutions, policies, or ideas as they gain legitimacy or effectiveness. In Estonian texts, jõustuvad emphasizes a growing state or condition rather than an instantaneous action, often implying gradual progress over time.

Examples and translation: In context, nad jõustuvad translates to "they are becoming stronger." The construction is common in sports, performance, health, and organizational or societal discussions when describing gradual improvement or increasing capacity among multiple subjects.

See also: jõustuma, jõud, tugevus, strength.