puhkavad

Puhkavad is an Estonian present active participle derived from the verb puhkama, meaning to rest or to take a break. As a participle, puhkavad conveys the sense of resting or being in a state of rest and is used as a verbal adjective in attributive positions or in predicative constructions.

In grammatical terms, puhkavad is the plural form of the present active participle. It agrees with the noun it modifies in number (but not gender, as Estonian has no gender in agreement). The singular counterpart is puhkav. The participle can function before a noun to describe ongoing activity (resting) or after a linking verb in a predicative role.

Usage and style are similar to other Estonian participles: puhkavad can create phrases such as puhkavad inimesed (resting people) or, with a verb, a sentence like puhkav inimene läheb puhkusele (a resting person goes on holiday). The form is common in descriptive writing, travel, and contexts where ongoing states of rest or breaks are discussed. It can also appear in compound expressions related to holidays, leisure, or workplace breaks, linking the idea of rest to people or activities.

Etymology and related forms: puhkavad comes from the base puhka-, the root of puhkama, with the present active participle suffixing typical of Estonian. Related words include puhkus (rest/holiday), puhkama (to rest/take a break), and other participles built from the same verb family, such as puhkav and puhkavad in similar attributive uses.

See also: puhkus, puhkusepäev, Estonian participles.