väidate

Väidate is an Estonian verb meaning "you claim" or "you state." It is the second-person plural present tense form of väitma, to claim or affirm. The root is väid-, and the full present tense paradigm includes ma väidan, sa väidad, ta väidab, me väidame, te väidate, nad väidavad. The word is commonly used to attribute a proposition to someone, especially in argumentation, reporting, or formal writing.

Usage and nuances: väidate is typically followed by a clause that expresses what is being claimed, often introduced by et ("that") or by a direct quotation. It can convey a neutral assertion or, depending on context, a contested or argued claim. The related noun väide denotes the claim or assertion itself, as in "Tema väide on vild." The verb can appear in various registers from everyday speech to journalism and legal or academic texts.

Examples: Te väidate, et see meetod töötab. Ta väidab, et uuringu tulemused kinnitavad seda. In reporting, a source might väidavad something significant, while a skeptical reader notes the claim requires evidence.

Grammatical notes: väidma forms many tenses and moods similarly to other Estonian verbs. The second-person plural present form väidate is used when addressing multiple people or using the polite plural. The verb pairs with related forms such as väide (noun) and väide, väidab (other persons) to express claims and assertions across discourse.