võidab

Väidab is an Estonian verb in the present tense, third person singular, meaning “claims” or “asserts.” It is derived from the verb väitma, which means to claim or allege, and is closely related to the noun väide, meaning a claim or assertion.

Usage and meaning

Väidab is used to report or attribute a claim to someone. It is commonly followed by a subordinate clause introduced by et (“that”). For example: Ta väidab, et ta on süüdi. In journalistic or academic text, väidab signals a statement that may be contested or needs evidence, rather than an established fact.

Morphology

The verb forms in the present tense follow standard Estonian conjugation: ma väidan, sa väidad, tema väidab, meile väidame, teile väidate, nad väidavad. The past tense is väitis (he/she claimed) and väitsid (they claimed). The past passive participle is väidetud, used in phrases such as “väidetud faktid” (claimed facts).

Etymology and related terms

Väidab comes from väitma, with väide as the related noun for a claim or assertion. Related forms include väide (claim), väidev (claiming, in a participial sense), and väidetud (claimed, alleged) when used as a participial adjective.

Usage notes

Väidab typically introduces a reported assertion and can indicate that the speaker regards the claim as something to be evaluated. In contrast to verbs like öelda (to say) or kinnitada (to affirm), väidab emphasizes the content of a claim and its justificatory basis.