Jutustab

Jutustab is the third-person singular present tense of the Estonian verb jutustama, meaning to tell, narrate, or recount. It is used when describing someone who is currently telling a story or relating events.

Etymology and grammar: Jutustama is formed from the noun jutustus, meaning story or tale, with the infinitive suffix -ma. Jutustab signals present tense for the third-person singular subject (ta). Related forms include jutustan (I tell) and jutustas (she/he told). In usage, the verb often takes a direct object referring to the thing being told, for example, a story or event, as in Ta jutustab loo.

Usage and nuance: Jutustab is common in everyday Estonian, as well as in literature, journalism, and spoken storytelling. It covers both literal narration of events and more figurative or framed storytelling, such as recounting personal experiences or presenting a narrative about real or imagined events. The verb emphasizes the act of telling as an ongoing or immediate action, rather than the content of the tale itself. In narrative technique, it can be used to describe how a character conveys information to others or how a narrator presents material to the audience.