Valitakse

Valitakse is an Estonian verb form that means “is chosen” or “are chosen.” It is the present passive form of the verb valima, which means to choose or to elect. The passive voice in Estonian is often used for neutral, impersonal statements where the agent is unknown or unimportant, making valitakse a common choice in public or formal language.

Formation and usage: Valitakse is formed by adding the present passive suffix -takse to the stem vali- of valima. The form conveys a present action without specifying who performs it. Past passive forms exist as valiti (“was chosen”). Examples include sentences such as “Parim lahendus valitakse hääletuse teel” (The best solution is chosen by a vote) and “Uus esimees valitakse järgmise kuu koosolekul” (The new chairman will be elected at the next month’s meeting).

Context and function: Valitakse is widely used in media, governance, and procedural or bureaucratic writing, where actions like elections, appointments, or selections are described from a neutral standpoint. It allows speakers and writers to focus on the outcome (the thing that is chosen) rather than on the actor(s) responsible for the choice.

Relationship to related forms: Valitakse contrasts with active forms such as valib (he/she chooses) and with other passive forms like valiti (was chosen). Related nouns include valik (selection) and valimine (choosing), which reflect the process or result associated with valima.

See also: valima, valik, valimine.