Kahjulikul

Kahjulikul is the adessive singular form of the Estonian adjective kahjulik, meaning harmful. It is not a separate lexical item but a grammatical inflection used when a noun it modifies is in the adessive case. In standard Estonian this form appears in fixed expressions and in formal or academic writing to describe conditions, influences, or effects that pertain to harm.

Etymology and morphology: The base kahjulik comes from kahju 'harm, damage' with the suffix -lik forming an adjective meaning 'harmful.' When the modified noun is in the adessive case, the adjective takes the adessive ending, yielding kahjulikul. This pattern is part of regular Estonian adjective declension.

Usage notes: Kahjulikul is primarily encountered in phrases indicating location or context of harm, such as kahjulikul mõjul (under harmful influence). In everyday language, speakers often use kahjulik directly before a noun in the nominative (e.g., kahjulik mõju, harmful effect). The adessive form is common in descriptive or evaluative constructions where the noun’s case requires it.

Common expressions: kahjulikul mõjul (under harmful influence) is a prototypical usage. Other adessive constructions with kahjulikul may appear in discussions of risk, effect, or condition where the noun is in the adessive.

See also: kahjulik, kahju, Estonian grammar, Estonian adjectives.

Notes: Kahjulikul functions as a case-specific form rather than a separate headword. Dictionaries typically list kahjulik as the lemma, with kahjulikul appearing as the inflected form in context.