Võita

Väita is an Estonian verb meaning to claim or to assert. It denotes presenting a statement as true, either in direct speech or in reported speech. The verb is commonly used in journalism, law, academic writing, and everyday conversation to convey that someone states something as fact, without necessarily endorsing it.

In usage, väita is typically followed by a clause introduced by the conjunction et, as in ta väidab, et see on õige (he asserts that it is correct). It can also take a direct object, such as väita midagi (to claim something). The form is neutral, often used to report what someone has claimed rather than to judge its truth.

Related forms and words include väide, the noun meaning a claim or assertion, and väidetav, an adjective meaning alleged. A related verb, väitlema, means to argue or debate, sharing a common semantic field with väita.

Etymology is linked to the base meaning of stating or asserting a claim. Väita belongs to the standard class of Estonian -ta verbs and follows typical conjugation patterns for this group. As with many evaluative or reportive verbs, väita functions as a linguistic tool for presenting another’s position or opinion rather than approving or disavowing it.

Example: Ta väidab, et see on õige. (He claims that it is true.) This sentence illustrates the core use of väita: presenting a statement as asserted by someone.