Omaduseks

Omaduseks is the translative form of the Estonian noun omadus, meaning a quality, property or characteristic. The translative case is used to express that something is regarded as a quality or property, roughly translating to “as a quality” or “as a characteristic.” It is commonly employed in predicative constructions with the verb olema (to be) to name a feature, for example: Selle omaduseks on kõrge vastupidavus. The corresponding noun in other forms includes omadus (nominative), omaduse (genitive) and omadused (plural).

In usage, omaduseks introduces a stated attribute of an object, person or concept. It can be used with singular or plural subjects: Selle toote omaduseks on kõrge vastupidavus; nende loomade omadused viitavad erinevatele omadustele. The form stands in contrast to other cases of omadus, such as when using the nominative or genitive, depending on sentence structure.

Etymology: omaduseks is derived from omadus with the translative ending -eks, a common pattern in Estonian to express “as a …/in the capacity of ….”

See also: omadus; translative case; Estonian grammar.