Nädalaks

Nädalaks is an Estonian temporal expression used to denote a duration of one week, or a period lasting for about a week. It is formed from the noun nädal (week) with the derivational suffix -aks, creating a time adverbial that describes how long an action lasts or how long a state continues.

The form is commonly used with verbs to specify duration, and it can indicate the validity period of something or a planned length of stay. Examples include: Pilet kehtib nädalaks. Ma võtan nädalaks vabaks. Tuba on broneeritud nädalaks. When combined with numerals, it can express longer periods, for example kolm nädalaks or kaheks nädalaks (for three weeks or for eight weeks).

Usage notes: Nädalaks expresses a discrete duration that starts and ends within roughly a week, contrasting with expressions like nädalavahet. or nädalal ajal, which focus more on the timeframe or during a week rather than the length of time. It is widely used in formal and informal Estonian to communicate timeframes in contracts, travel, scheduling, and everyday planning.

Etymology: The word originates from nädal (week) + the suffix -aks, a common Estonian pattern for forming adverbial duration expressions. It is not a separate noun; rather, it functions as a time modifier within sentences.