Lähedaseks

Lähedaseks is an Estonian predicative form derived from the adjective lähedane, meaning close or near. It is used with verbs that express a change of state, most commonly muutuma (to become) or saama (to get), to indicate becoming emotionally close to someone or something rather than simply being nearby.

Morphology and usage: lähedaseks is formed from the stem lähedase- plus the predicative suffix -ks. It appears in constructions such as muutuda lähedaseks or saada lähedaseks, where the phrase means “to become close (to someone)” or “to grow close to someone.” The form functions as a complement of the verb and describes a new relational state.

Examples:

- Ta muutus mulle lähedaseks. (He became close to me.)

- Ma tahan temaga lähedaseks saada. (I want to become close to him/her.)

- Me oleme saanud üksteisega lähedaseks. (We have become close to each other.)

Nuances and related terms: Lähedaseks typically conveys emotional closeness or intimacy in personal relationships, such as friendship or family ties, rather than physical proximity. For physical proximity, Estonian more often uses adverbs or prepositional phrases like lähedal. The noun lähedus denotes closeness or proximity as a concept, while lähedaseks is a predicate form used to express a change into a state of closeness.

See also: lähedus (closeness, proximity), muutuma (to become), saama (to get).