rebasitakse

Rebasitakse is an Estonian verb form that functions as the present passive of the verb stem related to rebastama, a root associated with cunning or outsmarting. The form is created with the standard Estonian passive suffix -takse, producing a meaning roughly equivalent to “is outfoxed” or “is deceived.” Its semantic link to the word rebane (fox) reflects the traditional image of the fox as a symbol of slyness in Estonian folklore.

In use, rebasitakse occurs primarily in literary, folkloric, or humoristic contexts rather than as everyday speech. It describes a situation in which someone is outmaneuvered or outwitted, with the emphasis on the event rather than on who performed the action. Because the passive voice in Estonian does not specify the agent, rebasitakse centers on the occurrence itself.

The term is recognized as a legitimate passive form within standard grammar, but it remains relatively uncommon outside stylized registers. It is more likely to appear in discussions of folklore, satire, or regional storytelling where the imagery of a fox’s cleverness is still salient. For readers and learners, rebasitakse serves as an example of how Estonian uses the passive voice to convey events involving cunning or deception.

See also: rebane (fox); passiivne kõneviis (passive voice); Estonian verb conjugation.