Kauplejateks

Kauplejateks is an Estonian translative form used to express the role or status of a person or group as traders, or the process of becoming traders. It is formed from the noun kaupleja (trader) with the translative suffix -teks. The singular form is kauplejaks, while the plural form is kauplejateks.

In usage, kauplejateks answers questions such as kelleks? or mis? in the sense of “as whom/what” or “to become,” and it is commonly found in contexts describing a role, a career path, or a change in status. For example, Nad sai kauplejateks would mean “They became traders” (in the plural). Ettevõtte koolitusprogramm on mõeldud noorte kauplejateks professionaalseks ettevalmistamiseks, i.e., the company’s training program is aimed at preparing young people to become traders. Kelleks sa soovid saada? — Kauplejaks or Kauplejateks, depending on number.

Kauplejateks often appears in formal or instructional language, such as job postings, curricula, or statements about vocational training. It is part of a broader pattern in Estonian where the translative form marks a role or a change of state, contrasting with the nominative form kaupleja (trader) and the singular kauplejaks (as a trader).

Notes on usage and variation: while kauplejateks most clearly refers to a plural role or transition, the closely related singular kauplejaks is used for “as a trader.” The form aligns with other plural role nouns in Estonian, such as jalgpalluriteks (as football players) or insainderiteks (as inspectors), reflecting a common grammatical pattern for indicating roles or states in plural.