töötavad

Töötavad is the third-person plural present tense form of the Estonian verb töötama, meaning to work or to operate. It describes that multiple subjects are performing work or operating something. The same spelling also appears as the present active participle in its plural attributive form, used to modify nouns and convey the sense “operating” or “working.” For example, töödavad masinad can be read as operating machines.

In finite use, töödavad functions as a standard present-tense verb form. Common constructions include subject–predicate combinations such as Masinad töötavad korralikult (The machines are functioning properly) and Töötajad töötavad kontoris (The workers work in the office). The form agrees with plural subjects and is used in everyday and technical language alike.

As a present active participle, töödavad describes nouns with the sense of ongoing operation. This usage appears in phrases like töödavad masinad (operating machines) or töödavad süsteemid (operating systems). When used this way, it acts like an adjective and agrees with the noun in number and case.

Notes on usage: the finite form töödavad should be distinguished from other person-number forms of töötama (for example, töötab for he/she/it works, töötan for I work). The participle sense is primarily found in descriptive or technical contexts, often in compound noun phrases where the emphasis is on ongoing operation rather than a specific subject performing the action.