suheldes

Suheldes is an Estonian adverbial participle formed from the verb suhelda, meaning “to converse, chat.” It expresses a secondary action that occurs at the same time as the action described by the main verb, roughly equivalent to the English expression “while conversing.” The form is created by adding the suffix -des to the verb stem: suhelda → suheldes. In standard Estonian, the adverbial participle is invariable for person and number and generally shares the subject with the main clause; if a different subject is intended, a separate non-finite clause with an explicit subject or a finite clause is preferred.

Usage and syntax: Suheldes can be placed before or after the main clause and is usually separated by a comma. It is common in both spoken and written Estonian, particularly in narrative or descriptive sentences. The construction tends toward a concise, formal tone and can replace multiple finite clauses in some contexts.

Examples:

- Ma lugesin raamatut, suheldes sõpradega.

- Suheldes kolleegidega, kirjutas ta aruande.

Limitations and variations: Synonyms such as vesteldes or rääkides may convey slightly different nuances (casual chatting, ongoing speech). In complex sentences, it is important to ensure the subject of the adverbial participle aligns with the main clause to avoid ambiguity.

See also: Estonian grammar, adverbial participles, suhelda.