The two Estonian inifinitives

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Estonianmoderateby Lessness
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sööma
to eat

Estonian features a seconday infinitive, the 'da' infinitive.

While sööma is the regular (ma) infinitive for 'to eat'.

Süüa is the 'da' infinitive of the verb 'to eat'.

süüa
to eat
teadma
to know

The 'ma' infinitive receives its name because words in the 'ma' infinitive form usually end in 'ma' While words in the 'da' infinitive usually end in 'da'. "teadma" 'to know', 'ma' infinitive. "teada" 'to know' 'to find out', 'da' infinitive. There are exceptions though.
teada
find out
olema
be

"olla" is the 'da' infinitive form of the verb "olema", and it doesn't end in 'da'.
olla
be
nägema
to see

"näha" is the 'da' infinitive form of the verb "nägema", and this one too doesn't end in 'da' in its 'da' infinitive form.
näha
to see
pidama
to keep

Although "pidama" means 'to keep'. In Estonian the verb "pidama" is also used to express 'to have to' and 'must'.
ma pean
I have to
ta peab sööma
he must eat
tahtma
to want

The 'da' infinitive is particularly used when the action has an hypothetical component, this means, it may or it may not occur. "ma pean sööma" 'I must eat' "ma tahan süüa" 'I want to eat'
ma tahan süüa
I want to eat
võima
to be able to

The 'da' infinitive is used when expression wishes, intentions and possibilities, a clear example of a hypothetical component. "ma võin süüa kõike" 'I can eat anything' This expresses a possibility
ma võin süüa kõike
I can eat anything
Ma ei jõua töötada
I can't bear to work

The 'da' infitive is also used to express emotions, or feelings. "Ma armastan jalutada" 'I love to walk' this expresses emotion.
Ma armastan jalutada
I love to walk
minema
to go
ma lähen
I'm going

The 'ma' infinitive in particular, is used after verbs of motion, like 'going', 'coming', 'driving'. "Ta läheb sööma" 'he goes to eat' 'he is going to eat' here the 'da' infitive is used after a verb of motion.
Ta läheb sööma
He's going to eat
istuma
to sit

Sitting does count as a verb of motion too, so in "me istume laulma", the 'ma' infitive is used to express the action.
Me istume laulma
We sit down to sing

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