koolutavad

Koolutavad is a finite verb form in Estonian, derived from the verb koolutama, which means to educate or train. It represents the present tense, third-person plural indicative, and translates to “they educate,” “they train,” or “they are educating” in English.

Usage and meaning: In ordinary sentences, koolutavad describes an action carried out by multiple subjects. For example, Nad koolutavad õpilasi. translates to “They educate students.” The form is used when the subject performing the training is plural, and it can describe educational activities carried out in schools, training programs, workplaces, or any context where instruction occurs.

Related forms: The word has several related derivatives that are common in Estonian. Koolutav is the present active participle meaning “educating” or “training,” which can function as an adjective in phrases like koolutav materjal (educational/training material). The noun form for a person who educates is koolutaja, with the plural koolutajad, meaning “educator” or “trainer.” The past passive participle is koolutatud, meaning “educated” or “trained.”

Etymology and morphology: The form is built from the root related to koolutama (to educate/train) with the present tense plural suffix -vad. Estonian verbs show agreement with the subject in person and number, and koolutavad follows this pattern for third-person plural.

See also: Estonian verb conjugation, Estonian participles, education-related terminology in Estonian.

Note: While koolutavad commonly appears in educational or training contexts, it is not a standalone noun; its function is strictly as a verb form.