Hiekaksi

Hiekaksi is a translative form in Finnish grammar derived from the noun hiekka, meaning sand. The translative case, marked with the suffix -ksi, expresses a change of state or transformation into something. Consequently, hiekaksi is used to denote that something becomes or is turned into sand.

The form is most often found in clauses with verbs of change, notably muuttua (to become) and, less commonly, tulla (to become). A typical construction is Kivi muuttui hiekaksi, meaning “The rock turned into sand.” The translative form can also appear in more metaphorical or literary contexts to evoke phenomena such as erosion, dissolution, or dispersion.

Formation and usage notes: hiekaksi attaches to the base form of hiekka to indicate a shift into sand. Its use is standard in written and spoken Finnish when describing a transformation into the substance of sand, whether literal or figurative. While common with main verbs of change, the exact choice of verb can influence the nuance, from physical processes to symbolic transitions.

See also: Translative case, Finnish grammar, and change-of-state constructions in Finnish.

In sum, hiekaksi is the Finnish translative form signaling that something becomes sand, a grammatical tool used primarily with verbs of transformation and in both literal and figurative language.