tegevusküsimus

Tegevusküsimus is an Estonian term that translates to "activity question" or "action question." It refers to a type of question that prompts a response involving an action or a description of an action. These questions typically focus on what someone did, is doing, or will do.

In grammar, tegevusküsimus often utilizes interrogative words that inquire about the subject, object, or manner of an action. For example, questions starting with "kes" (who), "mis" (what), "mida" (what, in accusative), "kus" (where), "millal" (when), "kuidas" (how), and "miks" (why) can all function as tegevusküsimus if they are directed towards eliciting information about an activity.

The purpose of a tegevusküsimus is to gather specific details about an event, a task, or a behavior. They are fundamental in everyday communication, allowing individuals to understand sequences of events, assign responsibilities, or seek clarification on ongoing processes. For instance, asking "Mida sa tegid eile õhtul?" (What did you do last night?) is a tegevusküsimus seeking information about past activities. Similarly, "Kuidas sa selle parandasid?" (How did you fix it?) inquires about the method of an action. These questions encourage detailed and descriptive answers, providing valuable insights into the actions of others.