Probleemideks

Probleemideks is a grammatical form in Estonian. It is the plural translative of the noun probleem (problem). The translative case expresses a transition into a state or role, often corresponding to “as” or “to be treated as” in English. The form probleemideks is formed from the plural stem probleemid with the translative suffix -ks, resulting in a construction that designates something as or for problems.

Usage examples illustrate its predicative use. Need küsimused on probleemideks, millega tuleb tegeleda. (These questions are problems to be addressed.) Mõned andmed võivad tulevikus probleemideks muutuda. (Some data may become problems in the future.) Ta sai probleemideks. (He became a problem.) In these contexts, the plural form marks that multiple items are being designated or transformed into a state of being problems.

In everyday Estonian, the plural translative probleemideks is relatively uncommon and is typically found in formal, written, or grammatical analyses rather than casual speech. More common constructions use the singular translative probleemiks or rephrase the idea with phrases like “käsitleda kui probleem” (to treat as a problem) or simply use synonyms in a different case. The form is mainly of interest to learners of Estonian grammar and linguists studying case morphology and predicative constructions. See also Estonian grammar, translative case, and probleem.