kuulustelevat

Kuulustelevat is an Estonian verb form that expresses the act of questioning formally. It translates roughly as "they interrogate" or "they are interrogating" and is the third-person plural present tense of the verb kuulustelda (to interrogate). The related noun kuulustelu means "interrogation." In legal and journalistic language, kuulustelevad describes police, prosecutors, or other authorities conducting questions of suspects or witnesses during investigations or court proceedings.

The form appears in formal contexts and is part of the standard Estonian lexicon for discussing investigative procedures. In everyday speech, speakers may use more general verbs such as küsima (to ask) or other synonyms depending on register and region. The term carries a neutral or technical tone rather than emotional overtones.

Etymology: It derives from the noun kuulustelu (interrogation) with verbal suffixes that yield a present-tense third-person plural form. Related terms include kuulustaja (interrogator) and kuulustama/kuulustelda (to interrogate).

Examples: Politsei kuulustelevad tunnistajaid.

See also: kuulustaja; kuulustama; kuulustelu.