In this talk I will examine the syntax and semantics of two constructions in Estonian, the impersonal ("fourth person") and the passive. Estonian linguistics has traditionally categorised the impersonal as a passive, yet it differs from the passive - both in Estonian and within cross-linguistic passive paradigms - in important ways. Both can be called detransitivizing devices, but they differ significantly in transitivity as well as other functional fields associated with passive behaviour. I will argue that the primary function of the impersonal is impersonalization of the agent, whereas that of the passive is detransitivization. I will point out reasons why the two have been conflated and why they actually require separate treatment.