Ametnikele

Ametnikele is an Estonian grammatical form used to indicate the recipient group “to the officials.” It is the allative case form of the noun ametnik (official) and appears in formal writing when the addressee is multiple officials or a collective official body.

Etymology and form: The word combines the root ametnik with the allative suffix -le. The singular allative is ametnikule (to the official), while the plural allative is ametnikele (to the officials).

Usage: Ametnikele is commonly found in government documents, templates, and formal correspondence. It is often used as the addressee line in letters, memos, or emails directed at civil servants, signaling the intended recipients without naming individuals.

Examples:

- Ametnikele on esitatud järgmised ettepanekud. (The following proposals have been presented to the officials.)

- Palume ametnikele teatada muudatustest seoses eelnõuga. (Please notify the officials of the changes regarding the bill.)

Limitations: In informal speech, this form is rarely used. People may instead say “ametnikega” (with the officials) or address specific individuals directly.

See also: Estonian language grammar; allative case; official correspondence.