tullakse

Tullakse is an Estonian verbal form that represents the present passive of the verb tulla, meaning "to come." It is used to express an action where the doer is unspecified or not important, and it is often translated into English as "is coming" or "one comes," depending on context.

Formation and characteristics: The passive is formed with the suffix -akse attached to the verb stem, giving tullakse from tulla. This form is invariable for person and number, reflecting the impersonal nature of many Estonian passive constructions. It generally indicates present tense, though its interpretation can include near-future or general statements in natural usage.

Usage and nuance: Tullakse is common in formal, public, or impersonal styles, such as notices, reports, or instructions, where the agent performing the action is either unknown or deliberately omitted. It allows speakers to foreground the event itself rather than the actor and can convey immediacy, generality, or hedging depending on the broader sentence context.

Relation to other forms: Tulla has active forms (such as tuleb in the present) and other passive or impersonal constructions, but tullakse specifically marks the present passive. It is a standard tool in Estonian for describing events without specifying who performs them, contrasting with explicit subject forms.

See also: Estonian grammar, Passive voice, Tulla (to come).