Õpetatakse

Õpetatakse is a form of the Estonian verb õpetama, meaning to teach. It is the present tense passive form, used with an unspecified agent to indicate that something is taught rather than who teaches it. In everyday use, it conveys information about educational activity in a neutral, general way.

In sentences, the subject is the thing being taught, while the agent performing the teaching is not stated. For example: Matemaatikat õpetatakse koolis. This means “Mathematics is taught at school.” The object of teaching appears in the partitive case (matemaatikat), which is typical for the Estonian verb tähista “teach.”

Form and related forms: The present passive is formed with the suffix -takse, as in õpetatakse. The active counterpart is õpetab (he/she teaches). The past passive form is õpetati (was taught). The past active form is õpetas (taught). The passive voice is common in Estonian for making general statements, giving instructions, or describing educational practices without naming the agent.

Usage notes: Õpetatakse is used in formal, encyclopedic, or explanatory contexts to describe what is taught in schools, institutions, or programs. It reflects a neutral tone and focuses on the activity of teaching rather than on who conducts it.