saaksid

Saaksid is an Estonian verb form and a key example of the conditional mood in the language. It is the second-person singular form of the verb saama, meaning to get or to be able to. Saaksid expresses hypothetical possibility or polite requests in everyday speech, often occurring in clauses introduced by kui (if) or in questions such as Kas saaksid… (Could you…).

Grammatical notes: The form saaksid is derived from the stem saaks- and carries the second-person singular conditional ending -id. It is used with a singular subject (you). In practice, saaksid commonly appears in sentences that request permission, propose a possibility, or frame a hypothetical scenario.

Usage and contexts: Saaksid appears in both informal and formal Estonian, particularly in spoken language and in written requests. It often appears in conditional clauses, for example when asking someone to do something or considering a potential outcome. It can be used with kui to introduce a hypothetical, as in Kui saaksid aega, saaksid külastada meid (If you could find the time, you could visit us).

Examples:

- Kui saaksid mind aidata, oleksin väga tänulik. (If you could help me, I would be very grateful.)

- Kas saaksid tulla hiljem? (Could you come later?)

See also: saama, Estonian conditional mood.