käsumärgid

Käsumärgid are a concept within Estonian linguistics referring to specific grammatical markers that indicate the imperative mood, essentially a command or a request. These markers are typically attached to the verb stem and signal that the speaker is instructing or urging the listener to perform an action. While not always a distinct suffix in the way that case endings are, the imperative is often formed by the bare verb stem, or with slight modifications depending on the verb class and person. For example, the second-person singular imperative often uses the verb stem directly, such as "tule" (come) from the infinitive "tulema". The second-person plural imperative can also be formed using the verb stem, sometimes with a slight variation. In some instances, particles or auxiliary words might be used in conjunction with the verb to soften the command or to express a polite request. Understanding käsumärgid is crucial for correctly interpreting and constructing sentences in the imperative mood in Estonian, allowing for clear communication of directives and requests.