häälese

The term häälese is an Estonian adjective that is primarily used in phonetics and linguistics. It translates to “voiced” in English, denoting speech sounds that involve vibration of the vocal cords. In the context of consonants, häälesed hääldused refers to voiced consonants, such as b, d, g, v, and z, which are produced with vocal fold vibration. Its counterpart, hääldamatud või häälteta, denotes voiceless consonants like p, t, k, f, and s. Speech scientists studying Estonian often consult the standard phonemic chart, where häälesed and häälteta categories are distinguished for comparative purposes.

In everyday Estonian usage, häälese can describe characteristics of voice rather than just consonants. For instance, one might refer to the häälesed, resonant tones in a singer’s performance, or describe a speaker’s voice as hääleseline to emphasize clarity and depth. The word appears in literary descriptions, where writers may use it poetically to convey the quality of spoken word or the harmony of vocal expression.

Etymologically, häälese comes from the root hääle, meaning “voice.” The suffix -ese forms an adjective, indicating the trait or quality related to the root. Its plural form häälesed is used when discussing multiple items, such as häälesed hääldused, while the form häälesega literally means “having voice.” In Estonian dictionaries, häälese is listed under both linguistic and everyday contexts, and it features prominently in phonological textbooks where the voicing distinctions are critical to understanding Estonian phonology.