vastama

Vastama is an Estonian verb meaning to answer or to respond. It is used to provide a reply to a question, statement, or request. The verb is part of the common -ma class and follows regular Estonian conjugation patterns, with standard person and number endings.

In the present tense the typical forms are vastan, vastad, vastab, vastame, vastate, vastavad. The past tense is formed with personal endings (for example, vastasin, vastasid, vastas, vastasime, vastasite, vastasid). The verb can be used with different objects depending on the meaning, such as answering a question or replying to someone.

Common constructions include vastama küsimusele (to answer a question) and vastama kellelegi (to answer someone). Example sentences: Ma vastan küsimusele. Ta vastas mulle. Me peame vastama tähtajale. These illustrate how vastama pairs with either a question or a person as the recipient of the answer.

Related forms include the noun vastus, meaning “answer,” with plural vastused. The verb also appears in participial forms such as vastanud, used in perfect constructions to describe someone who has answered.

Vastama is a basic, widely used verb in everyday speech, media, and formal writing. It often appears in contexts involving inquiry, discussion, feedback, or instructions that require a response. See also related verbs like küsima (to ask) and reageerima (to react or respond).