to help, to assist, to give a hand, to aid
Building blocks
abi- help
-sta- causative (“make something be X”)
-ma - infinitive ending
Similarly to the word aitama (to help), the word "abistama" is also derived from the word abi (help). Both of these words are likely derived from the Proto-Finnic *abittadak, which means "to help" or "to assist".
Meaning
Both "abistama" and "aitama" mean "to help" or "to assist". However, there is a subtle difference in meaning between the two words. "Aitama" is a more general term that can be used to refer to any kind of help, while "abistama" is more specific and implies that the help is being given in a more active and direct way.
Formality
"Aitama" is more informal than "abistama". It is often used in everyday conversation, while "abistama" is more likely to be used in formal situations.
How to use it
Keep in mind when using “abistama”:
Who or What you help is in the Partitive case (Third base form)
Examples
Kas sa saad mind abistada?
Literally: “Do you can me help?”
Idiomatically: “Can you help me?”
Kas - Adverb - "Do"
sa - Pronoun - Nom Sg, "you"
saad - Verb - 2P Present Sg, "can"
mind - Pronoun - Part Sg, "me"
abistada - Verb - da-Infinitive, "help"
Ema abistas last kodutööga
Literally: “Mother helped child homework-with”
Idiomatically: “Mother helped the child with homework”
Ema - Noun - Nom Sg, "Mother"
abistas - Verb - 3P Past Sg, "helped"
last - Noun - Part Sg, "child"
kodutööga - Noun - Comitative Sg, "homework-with"