Reference

The -des form

"While doing": two things at once, folded into one sentence.

All grammar

The ending that carries it: -des
Called: des-vorm; the converb, or gerund in an English grammar book

What it is for

Two things at once, with no "and" or "while" needed
- Naerdes paljastusid laiad esihambad ja igemed.
  As they laughed, their broad front teeth and gums were revealed.
- Mees köhib tatti pritsides.
  The man is coughing and spitting phlegm.
Writers much prefer it to two sentences joined up

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Peo edenedes pidurid kadusid.
As the party went on, inhibitions faded.
Purustuste järgi otsustades võis tegu olla keeristormiga.
Judging by the damage, it could have been a tornado.

Whoever does it is whoever does the rest of the sentence

Ta kuulis juhtunust puhkusel viibides.
He heard about what happened while he was on vacation.
Ta oli auhinnast kuuldes rõõmsalt üllatunud.
He was pleasantly surprised to hear about the award.

Watch out

The -des part borrows its "who" from the rest of the sentence. Give the two halves different people and the sentence ends up saying something you didn't mean.

Where the course teaches it

2 units

Two things at onceB2Join two actions into one sentence, the way written Estonian likes to.
Reading literatureC1Read an Estonian novel and talk about how it's written as well as what happens.

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