kiidab

Kiidab is the present tense, third-person singular form of the Estonian verb kiitma, meaning to praise or extol. It is used when the subject praises another person, thing, or action. As a common verb in everyday Estonian, kiidab appears in conversations, writing, and formal language to express approval or admiration.

Grammatically, kiidab is formed from the verb stem kiid- with the standard Estonian 3rd-person singular present ending -ab. Estonian verbs do not inflect for gender in the present tense, so kiidab is suitable for both male and female subjects. The corresponding plural form is kiidavad (they praise). The infinitive kiitma denotes the act of praising, while kiitus can refer to praise as a noun concept in broader usage.

Example usage: Ta kiidab oma õpetajat. (He/she praises his/her teacher.) Another example: Lugupeetud publik kiidab esinejat. (The esteemed audience praises the performer.) Kiidab can also appear in more evaluative or literary contexts, often to highlight appreciation, recognition, or commendation.

In usage notes, kiitma and its forms appear across genres—from colloquial dialogue to journalism and literature—reflecting a common communicative function: expressing positive evaluation. The verb forms align with standard Estonian conjugation patterns, making kiidab a typical example of a regular present-tense verb in the language.

See also: kiitma, Estonian grammar, Estonian language.