külastades

Külastades is an Estonian non-finite verb form derived from the verb külastama, meaning “to visit.” It functions as an adverbial participle that conveys an action occurring in parallel with the action of the main clause, similar to the English phrase “while visiting” or “during a visit.” The form is invariable and typically refers to the subject of the main clause.

In use, külastades forms adverbial clauses of attendant circumstance. It can be placed at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence. Examples: Külastades muuseumi, õppisin palju. (While visiting the museum, I learned a lot.) Ma nägin palju, külastades linnatänavaid. (I saw a lot while visiting the city streets.)

Morphologically, külastades is a participial non-finite form ending in -des. It does not change for person or number and generally does not function as a separate noun. It is one of several Estonian non-finite forms that express manners or concomitant actions, alongside other participial and infinitive forms.

Relation to related terms: külastus is the noun meaning “a visit,” and külastaja refers to a visitor. The form külastades should not be confused with these lexical items, as it serves a grammatical function to indicate a concurrent action rather than a concrete event or agent.

See also: külastus, külastaja, külastama.