Kaunastatakse

Kaunastatakse is an Estonian verb form meaning “is flattering” or “is being flattered.” It is the present tense passive form of kaunastama, which means to flatter, wheedle, or win someone over with praise or agreeable talk. The construction describes a situation in which someone or something receives flattery from another party, often to gain favor or agreement.

Grammatically, kaunastatakse is the third-person singular present passive form and can refer to any subject that is being flattered. The agent performing the flattery is typically not specified, as is common with the Estonian passive voice. The verb can be used in both formal and informal contexts to describe manipulative or persuasive flattery, as well as neutral social politeness used without ulterior motive.

In usage, kaunastatakse frequently appears in discussions about interpersonal relations, politics, negotiations, advertising, and media rhetoric. It often carries a connotation of insincerity or strategic behavior, but it can also describe courteous or flattering behavior without judgment when the context is neutral or descriptive. Example sentences include: “Valijat kaunastatakse lubadustega” (The voter is flattered with promises) and “Kõneleja kaunastatakse publikule” (The speaker flatters the audience).

Etymology and related forms: kaunastatakse derives from kaunastama, itself related to kaunis meaning beautiful. The noun kaunastamine denotes the act or process of flattering. The language distinguishes active kaunastab (he/she flatters) from passive kaunastatakse (is flattered), reflecting Estonian’s voice system in everyday use.