põrgata

Põrgata is an Estonian verb meaning to torment, harass, or cause severe distress. It is transitive and is mainly found in literary, religious, or historical styles; it is relatively rare in everyday speech.

Etymology and register: The verb is linked to põrgu, meaning hell, and carries a sense of punishment or extreme suffering. Its use is often considered archaic or stylistically marked in modern Estonian, where speakers may opt for more common synonyms in ordinary discourse.

Usage and nuance: Põrgata describes the act of inflicting prolonged pain, mental strain, or harsh criticism. It can be applied to people or to situations that cause severe discomfort. In contemporary writing, it may appear where an author wishes to evoke severity, moral judgment, or dramatic effect. Related, more common verbs include piinama (to torment) and vaevama (to trouble).

Forms and morphology: As a standard Estonian -ta verb, it inflects for tense and mood according to regular conjugation rules. The infinitive is põrgata; the verb is used with a direct object to indicate who is tormented, with conjugated forms adapting to person and number.

See also: põrgu; piinama; vaevama.