Kolmandasse

Kolmandasse is an Estonian grammatical form that functions as the illative case of the ordinal numeral kolmas, meaning “the third.” It is used to express movement toward or into the third item in a sequence, the third part of something, or a analogous destination within a larger set. In this role it behaves as a case form rather than a standalone word.

Usage and scope

Kolmandasse typically appears in phrases where a destination or directional goal is specified for a noun that is understood in its illative sense. It is encountered in instructional, narrative, and descriptive contexts, especially when directing attention to the third element, section, or tier of a structure, process, or arrangement. The exact surface form adapts to the surrounding grammar in Estonian, as with other illative constructions, and is used to indicate “toward the third …” or “into the third …” within a discourse.

Relation to other forms

As the illative form of an ordinal adjective, kolmandasse is part of a broader system that marks direction or destination in Estonian grammar. It coexists with other illative forms derived from numerals and adjectives and follows standard agreement rules with the nouns they modify.

See also

Estonian grammar, illative case, ordinal numbers.