kirjeldub

Kirjeldub is an Estonian verb-related form used to express passive description. In linguistic descriptions it is typically presented as a present-tense passive construction linked to the verb kirjeldama, meaning to describe. The exact labeling and analysis can vary among grammars, but the form is commonly cited as a way to attribute description to a subject without naming an agent.

In usage, kirjeldub functions to present information in a neutral, impersonal way. It is often found in descriptive prose, reference texts, and scholarly writing where the emphasis is on how something is described rather than who describes it. This makes it a useful tool for stating general claims or describing customary descriptions found in sources.

Related forms in Estonian grammar include other passive constructions such as kirjeldatakse and kirjeldatud. These forms express present and past passive meaning, respectively, and their use depends on tense, aspect, and stylistic preference. The choice between kirjeldub and alternative passive forms often hinges on nuance, formality, and regional variation.

Etymologically, kirjeldub derives from the verb kirjeldama, and it participates in the broader system of Estonian passive voice that marks description as a property of the subject. As part of the language’s voice and tense inventory, it helps convey how phenomena are described in texts without specifying an agent.