Säästlikele

Säästlikele is a term used in Estonian linguistics to refer to the allative form of the adjective säästlik, which means frugal or economical. The form combines the stem säästlik- with the allative suffix -le, yielding säästlikele. In theoretical descriptions, this form is discussed as an example of how adjectives can participate in Estonian case and number paradigms, even though it is not a common productive form in everyday language.

Morphology and grammatical role: Säästlikele illustrates how adjectival forms can be analyzed alongside noun inflection in Estonian grammar. While adjectives typically accompany nouns without taking all case endings in ordinary speech, certain analytical or pedagogical discussions note that the adjective stem can be described as carrying an allative marker, providing a clear example for explaining case systems and agreement in Estonian. In practice, the allative case is more frequently applied to nouns or pronouns than to adjectives in regular usage.

Usage and occurrence: The allative form of adjectives like säästlik is rare outside scholarly contexts. Säästlikele appears primarily in linguistic descriptions, grammars, and discussions about inflection patterns. It is not a commonly used form in standard written or spoken Estonian, where speakers would typically express the intended meaning using the noun in the appropriate case or by rephrasing the phrase to avoid attributing the case to the adjective.

See also: Estonian language, Adjective declension, Allative case, Morphology of Estonian.