Haastateltiin

Haastateltiin is an Estonian verb form used to express that an interview occurred, roughly equivalent to “was interviewed” in English. It is the past tense, passive voice form built from a verb meaning “to interview,” and is commonly used in journalism, historical writing, and formal narration to describe events without naming the interviewer.

In usage, the agent performing the interview is typically omitted or left implicit, focusing on the occurrence of the interview rather than on who conducted it. The form can be employed with various subjects depending on number and person, and it is one of several ways Estonian can render passive past narration.

Grammatical notes: Haastateltiin signals a completed action in the past and emphasizes the event. It contrasts with active constructions that specify the interviewer and with other passive forms that may carry different nuances of agency or formality. The choice between passive past forms and active or other passives depends on narrative focus and stylistic considerations.

See also: Estonian language, Estonian verbs, passive voice, verbal morphology.