Helistama

Helistama is an Estonian verb meaning to call someone on the telephone. It is a regular -ama verb and is commonly used in everyday speech. The action is typically performed with a recipient in the dative (for example, mulle, sulle, talle) as in helistama kellele.

In use, helistama denotes making a telephone call rather than speaking in general. Common phrases include helistama kellelegi or helistama minuga, and telefonikõne is often used as the noun for the call itself.

Conjugation basics:

- Present tense: ma helistan, sa helistad, ta helistab; me helistame, te helistate, nad helistavad. Example: Ma helistan sulle.

- Past tense: ma helistasin, sa helistasid, ta helistas; me helistasime, te helistasite, nad helistasid.

- Perfect (have called): ma olen helistanud, sa oled helistanud, ta on helistanud; me oleme helistanud, te olete helistanud, nad on helistanud.

- Future usage: Estonian often uses present tense with time expressions (Ta helistab homme) or a periphrastic form like Ta hakkab helistama to indicate an ongoing future action.

- Imperative: helista (singular), helistage (plural or polite). Negative form: ära helista or sa ei helista.

Notes on usage: helistama is typically paired with a person or number (for example, mulle, sulle, talle) to indicate who is being called. It is distinct from other contacting verbs and is primarily used for telephone calls rather than other modes of communication.

See also: telefonikõne, telefon.