Once the idea of conjugation has been cleared it is time to move on with verb tenses. The good news here is that we have less of them than in English. We don't have present continuous (for example, I am watching), past continuous (I was watching) or anything to such effect (I have or had been watching etc.).

Instead we keep it simple: we have simple present (I watch), simple past (I watched), present perfect (I have watched) and past perfect (I had watched). And we don't have any future forms - we use contextual means to express the idea.

Verb tense Olevik (present) doesn't have any indications. As explained, it is formed usually based on the ma-infinitve listed in dictionaries - you remove the 'ma' and add appropriate ending to indicate the person being discussed (you or me or someone else).. However the situation is different with the verbs that undergo consonant gradation. Upon gradation of word root, the dictionaries provide you additionally with the singular 1st person as well - then this serves as basis. (Gradadion thing is just for your information only - don't let it hamper you at first).

Now let's discuss the other tenses

Lihtminevik (simple present, for example I went) is formed by attaching si (or i-) infix and then relevant ending for a person discussed.

For täisminevik (perfect present, for example I have gone) is composite form where relevant conjugated form of ‘to be’ in the present tense plus nud-participle of the main verb is used.  Nud-participle is Estonian equivalent to English verb form ending 'ed' (watch - watched). In Estonian the ending is 'nud' as you would have guessed. By principle it is added to the root of the verb.

Enneminevik (past perfect as I had gone) is about the same as perfect present, except ‘to be’ forms are in the past tense as you would have guessed.

TIP: For practice conjugate all the verbs above for other persons as well - sa oled, ta on, etc. Tedious but useful in real language situation. If you feel confident enough venture out to do other verbs as well - the ones that could be of good use for you.

Additionally to the dictionary, use Eesti keele süntesaator (Estonian language synthesizer) which is set to provide you with different conjugations. Unfortunately some Estonian wizards have a cruel sense of humour - how would you otherwise explain why they haven't translated this tool.

Anyways you would enter your word (form ending with ma) in the box and then proceed. For verbs you would use the right column titled 'Pöördsõna' (Verb). The next thing you would specify is 'Isik' (person), use the relevant pronoun as a clue. Check as many boxes you wish. In the next section titled 'Aeg' (Tense) check 'Olevik' (simple present) or 'Lihtminevik' (simple past). In the next section 'Kõneviis' (mode of speech), check 'Kindel' (definitive). For compound tenses (i.e. perfect present and past perfect) you only need the form with 'nud' ending. For that check the box for 'nud-kesksõna'. And finally click the button Süntees (Synthesize), to get the results.

Oh yeah, keep the umlaut letters handy when entering the word.