Sihtmärgile

Sihtmärgile is the allative singular form of the Estonian noun sihtmärk, meaning target or aim. The allative case in Estonian marks direction toward a location or goal, and in English it corresponds to “to the target” in many contexts. Estonian has no separate dative case; the allative provides the directional meaning for movement or aim toward something.

Formation and use: The allative is formed by adding the suffix -le to the noun stem. For sihtmärk, the form is sihtmärgile. This construction is used with verbs of motion or aiming, such as minema or suunduma (to go or to head toward), as well as in sports and military contexts when describing aiming at a target. Beyond literal movement, sihtmärgile can be used metaphorically to indicate directing effort or attention toward a goal.

Examples: Nool lendas sihtmärgile. (The arrow flew toward the target.) Ta läks sihtmärgile, et sealt valgust saada. (He went toward the target in order to get a view from there.)

Notes: Sihtmärgile is one of several directional forms in Estonian that convey movement toward a location or goal. It is related to the noun sihtmärk and to the broader set of allative uses in Estonian grammar. When referring to more than one target, the corresponding plural allative form is sihtmärgidele.