valetama

Valetama is an Estonian verb meaning to lie, i.e., to tell a falsehood. It denotes the act of making statements known to be untrue with the intent to mislead. The word is built from the stem vale- meaning false, combined with the infinitive suffix -tama.

Etymology and sense: The root vale conveys deception and falsity, and valetama is the standard verb used to describe deliberate falsehoods in both everyday speech and formal contexts. The related nouns valetamine (lying, the act of lying) and valetaja (someone who lies, i.e., a liar) are commonly used alongside the verb.

Usage and grammar: Valetama is a regular Estonian verb in its conjugation paradigms, used to describe statements or claims that are knowingly untrue. It typically governs clauses or content about what is being lied about, such as lies told about a fact or situation. In present and past tenses, forms reflect person and number, as with other Estonian verbs. The verb can appear in combinations that emphasize deception, misrepresentation, or fabrication of information. Adjectival and nominal derivatives include vale (false), valelik (deceitful), and valetamine (lying).

Translations and nuance: The primary English equivalents are “to lie” or “to tell a falsehood.” In broader discourse, valetama can carry nuances of intent and deception, distinguishing it from mere factual error. The term is common in speech, journalism, literature, and useful for describing truthfulness or its absence.

See also: vale (false), valetaja (liar), valetamine (lying).