üteldakse

üteldakse is an Estonian verb form used to express that something is commonly said or reported by others. It is the passive present tense of the verb ütelda (to tell) or a closely related form of ütlema (to say). The construction attributes statements without naming a specific source, functioning similarly to "it is said" or "they say" in English.

Grammatically, ütel-dakse is impersonal and lacks an explicit subject. It marks reported speech and hedging, allowing the speaker to relay information while avoiding certainty or responsibility for the claim. The form is common in both spoken Estonian and written texts, especially where hearsay, traditional knowledge, or conventional wisdom is involved.

Usage: It is often used to introduce a clause that presents common knowledge, folklore, or journalistic hedging. Example: Üteldakse, et meri on sügav. In more formal writing, the form may appear at the start of a sentence to frame what follows as widely held but not definitively proven.

See also: Estonian grammar, passive voice, reported speech, hearsay.