Kopsudele

Kopsudele is an Estonian word form that functions as the allative plural of the noun kopsud, meaning lungs. In Estonian, nouns have various forms to express case and direction, and kopsudele specifically indicates movement toward or targeting the lungs in certain constructions.

Morphology and formation: the base noun is kopsud (lungs). Its genitive plural is kopsude (of the lungs). By adding the allative suffix -le to the genitive plural, the form kopsudele is produced, signifying direction toward the lungs. The allative is one of several locational and directional markers in Estonian and is not a fixed position like a location word; rather, it marks direction or beneficiary in specific grammatical contexts.

Usage: kopsudele appears mainly in anatomical, medical, or physiological texts where the lungs are the target or destination of an action, effect, or label. It is less common in everyday speech and typically occurs in specialized or technical writing. The form is distinct from the nominative kopsud (lungs) and the genitive kopsude (of the lungs).

Pronunciation: kopsudele follows standard Estonian phonology, with stress patterns typical of the noun forms it derives from.

Etymology: kopsud derives from kopsu, with plural -ud; the genitive plural is -ude, and the allative suffix -le attaches to that form to yield kopsudele.

See also: Estonian grammar, allative case, Estonian nouns, medical terminology in Estonian.