Modèles grammaticaux
Structures de phrases
Subject (nominative) + istuma (conjugated) + Location (adessive/allative/illative case)
Ma istun toolil.
Subject (nominative) + istuma (conjugated) + Location (adessive/allative/illative case) + Adverb of place
Laps istub põrandal mugavalt.
Comment l'utiliser
When talking about sitting down in Estonian, you'll most often use the verb istuma. It's a regular 'ma'-verb, which means its infinitive ends in '-ma' and its conjugation follows predictable patterns. You'll use it just like you would 'to sit' in English. For example, 'Ma istun maha' means 'I sit down' or 'I am sitting down'.
A common mistake for English speakers is to confuse istuma (to sit) with verbs that describe the state of being seated, such as olema istuli (to be seated) or istuma peal (to be sitting on top of something). While related, istuma specifically refers to the action of sitting down or being in the process of sitting. Another potential pitfall is incorrect case usage with prepositions. For example, 'istuma toolile' (to sit on the chair - illative case for movement to) versus 'istuma toolis' (to be sitting in the chair - inessive case for location).
Astuces
Basic use of 'istuma'
The verb "istuma" means to sit. It's a regular verb and one of the first you'll learn.
Present tense singular
For 'I sit', you say 'Ma istun'. For 'You sit' (singular informal), it's 'Sa istud'. For 'He/She sits', it's 'Ta istub'.
Present tense plural
For 'We sit', say 'Me istume'. For 'You sit' (plural informal or formal singular), it's 'Te istute'. For 'They sit', it's 'Nad istuvad'.
Past tense simple
To say 'I sat', use 'Ma istusin'. The '-sin' ending is common for the past tense of many verbs.
Imperative form
To tell someone to 'Sit!', you use 'Istu!' (singular informal) or 'Istuge!' (plural informal or formal singular).
Phrases with 'istuma'
You can say 'Istume maha' to mean 'Let's sit down'. The word 'maha' means 'down'.
Common question
A common question is 'Kas ma võin istuda?' which means 'May I sit?' or 'Can I sit?'
Sitting on something
When you sit on a chair, you say 'Ma istun toolil'. The '-l' ending indicates 'on'.
Don't confuse with 'seisma'
Don't confuse 'istuma' (to sit) with 'seisma' (to stand). They are opposites.
Practice sentences
Try forming simple sentences like 'Laps istub' (The child sits) or 'Ma tahan istuda' (I want to sit).
Teste-toi 24 questions
Pärast pikka jalutuskäiku tundsin ma soovi veidi maha ___.
The sentence implies a desire to rest after a long walk, and 'istuda' (to sit) fits this context perfectly. 'Maha istuda' means 'to sit down'.
Palun ___ laua taha, õhtusöök on peaaegu valmis.
The phrase 'laua taha istu' (sit at the table) is a common command when inviting someone to eat. 'Istuda' is the infinitive, 'istu' is the imperative form for 'you (singular)'.
Ma ei suutnud enam püsti seista, pidin kuhugi maha ___.
The context indicates a need to rest due to inability to stand, so 'istuma' (to sit) is the appropriate verb here. 'Maha istuma' means 'to sit down'.
Lapsed, palun ___ vaikselt toolidel ja oodake oma korda.
This is a command to multiple children to sit quietly. 'Istuge' is the plural imperative form of 'istuma' (to sit).
Kas sa tahaksid pigem seista või ___ siia minu kõrvale?
The question offers a choice between standing and doing something else next to the speaker. 'Istuda' (to sit) is the logical opposite of standing and fits the context of an invitation.
Ta armastas tunde akna ääres ___ ja mööduvaid inimesi vaadata.
The action of watching people pass by for hours usually implies sitting, making 'istuda' (to sit) the most suitable verb in this sentence.
Pärast pikka tööpäeva on mõnus toolile ___. (After a long workday, it's nice to ___ in a chair.)
'Istuda' means 'to sit'. The sentence implies seeking rest in a chair.
Laps hakkas pärast väsitavat mängu põrandale ___. (The child started to ___ on the floor after tiring play.)
The context of 'tiring play' suggests the child would want to sit down.
Palun ___ siia, ma tahan sinuga rääkida. (Please ___ here, I want to talk to you.)
When asking someone to talk, you'd typically invite them to sit down.
Nad ___ vaikselt laua taga ja ootasid õhtusööki. (They ___ quietly at the table and waited for dinner.)
People usually sit at a table while waiting for dinner.
Külalised hakkasid elutuppa ___ ja vestlema. (The guests started to ___ in the living room and chat.)
Guests typically sit down in a living room to chat.
Ta armastab akna all lugeda ja seal pikalt ___. (He loves to read under the window and ___ there for a long time.)
Reading for a long time implies sitting.
Listen for where the person sits and what they do there.
Listen for the invitation and what is offered.
Listen for how long and where the person sat, and their demeanor.
Read this aloud:
Kas te istuksite palun minu kõrvale?
Focus: istuksite
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Ma istusin eile terve õhtu arvuti taga.
Focus: istusin
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Read this aloud:
Lapsed istuvad alati esimeses reas, et paremini näha.
Focus: istuvad
Tu as dit :
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
Pärast pikka tööpäeva on ainus, mida ma tahan, vaikselt kaminatule ees ___.
Context implies resting in a seated position.
Kuigi kohtumine venis pikale, suutsid kõik osalejad süvenenult oma kohtadel ___.
Refers to remaining in a seated position during a meeting.
Vanaema, kes oli eluaeg aiatööd teinud, eelistas alati õues pingil ___ ja ümbrust nautida.
Describes the grandmother's preference for sitting on a bench.
Peale tormi, kui elekter oli tagasi, said kõik lõpuks tugitooli ___ ja tassi kuuma teed nautida.
Refers to taking a seat in an armchair.
Dirigent palus orkestril enne etenduse algust vaikselt oma pillidega kohale ___.
Indicates the action of the orchestra members taking their seats.
Lapsed, kes olid terve päeva mänginud, tahtsid õhtul diivanil vaikselt multikaid vaadata ja niisama ___.
Describes the children's desire to sit quietly on the sofa.
/ 24 correct
Perfect score!
Basic use of 'istuma'
The verb "istuma" means to sit. It's a regular verb and one of the first you'll learn.
Present tense singular
For 'I sit', you say 'Ma istun'. For 'You sit' (singular informal), it's 'Sa istud'. For 'He/She sits', it's 'Ta istub'.
Present tense plural
For 'We sit', say 'Me istume'. For 'You sit' (plural informal or formal singular), it's 'Te istute'. For 'They sit', it's 'Nad istuvad'.
Past tense simple
To say 'I sat', use 'Ma istusin'. The '-sin' ending is common for the past tense of many verbs.
