Kuulustella

Kuulustella is a Finnish verb meaning to question someone thoroughly, typically in a formal investigation or legal context, but it can also refer to probing someone for information in other settings. It is a transitive verb, usually used with a person as the object (for example, kuulustella jotakuta). The related noun kuulustelu refers to an interrogation or hearing, and kuulustelupöytäkirja is a written record of such an interrogation.

In legal and police work, kuulustelu denotes the process of questioning suspects or witnesses as part of an investigation. The proceedings are often recorded in a kuulustelupöytäkirja, and the rights of the person being questioned, including access to legal counsel and the right to remain silent, are governed by Finnish law and practice. The term can also appear in journalism or research contexts to mean a careful inquiry or cross-examination.

Conjugation and forms follow standard Finnish patterns. The infinitive is kuulustella; present tense forms include kuulustelen or kuulustelee depending on person; past tense forms include kuulusteli, and the past passive is kuulusteltiin. The present passive form is kuulustellaan, used to indicate an interrogation is taking place without specifying the doer.

Usage notes: kuulustella conveys a more formal, sometimes adversarial sense than casual questioning. For softer inquiry, Finnish often uses haastatella (to interview) or kysyä (to ask). Related terms include kuulustelu (interrogation), haastattelu (interview), and tutkiminen (investigation).