Sileiksi

Sileiksi is a Finnish grammatical form that represents the translative plural of the adjective sileä, meaning smooth. It is used to express a change of state into something smooth when the subject is plural. The form is common in contexts describing processes, finishes, or transformations, and can also appear in figurative language to describe a transition to a smooth or unblemished condition across multiple items.

Etymology and form: The base adjective sileä combines with the translative case to indicate becoming. In the singular, the form is sileäksi (into a smooth state for a single object). In the plural, the suffix changes to -iksi, yielding sileiksi, to signal that multiple items are becoming smooth. This pattern follows Finnish grammar for adjectives used in a translative sense.

Usage: Sileiksi commonly occurs with verbs of transformation, such as muuttaa, tulla, or hoitaa, in passive or impersonal constructions. Examples include:

- Pinnat muuttuvat sileiksi. (The surfaces become smooth.)

- Kivet hiotaan sileiksi. (The stones are honed smooth.)

- Laatat puhdistettiin ja hiottiin sileiksi. (The tiles were cleaned and polished to be smooth.)

Relation to other forms: Sileiksi contrasts with sileäksi, the singular translative form used for a single item, as in Pinta muuttuu sileäksi. Both forms share the same root and indicate changes in state, but they agree in number with their subjects.

See also: Finnish grammar, translative case, adjectives in Finnish.

Note: In everyday usage, sileiksi is most natural when referring to multiple objects undergoing a transformation to a smooth condition.