näitava

Näitava is a term used in the context of Estonian grammar to refer to the present active participle derived from the verb näitama, meaning "to show." As an adjective form, näitava encodes the meaning of "showing" or "demonstrating" and can be used to describe nouns in descriptive or technical language.

Morphology and function: Like other Estonian participles, näitava is formed from the verb stem näita- with a participial suffix. It behaves, in many respects, like an adjective: it agrees with the noun it modifies for number and case and can occur in attributive positions before a noun or predicatively in a clause. This flexibility makes it useful in linguistic descriptions, field notes, and instructional texts where processes or actions are being characterized.

Usage: In scholarly writing about Estonian grammar or syntax, näitava is treated as part of the set of participles that express ongoing or unfolding action associated with the noun. It is often contrasted with other participial forms, such as the past passive or perfective participles, to convey different aspects of showing, demonstrating, or presenting. The exact inflectional endings depend on standard Estonian adjective and participle paradigms.

Relation to other terms: Näitava relates closely to näitama (to show) and to other participial forms used in Estonian to form descriptive phrases. It is one of several tools for expressing dynamic action within noun phrases or predicate structures.

See also: näitama, Estonian grammar, present participle, participles in Estonian.