Sõbralikumasse

Sõbralikumasse is the illative singular form of the Estonian adjective sõbralikum, meaning more friendly. It is formed from the base adjective sõbralik (friendly) with the comparative suffix that yields sõbralikum (more friendly) and the illative suffix -asse, which marks direction into something described by the adjective. As a result, sõbralikumasse is used before a noun in illative case to express “into a more friendly …”.

Usage and function:

Sõbralikumasse typically accompanies a noun in the illative case to indicate moving toward or joining a place, group, or environment that is described as friendlier. The construction answers questions like “into what kind of X?” where X is in illative. The form is not standalone; it must modify a following noun in illative (for example, seltskonda, keskkonda, linna).

Examples:

- Ta püüdis liituda sõbralikumasse seltskonda. (They tried to join a friendlier company.)

- Me otsime sõbralikumasse keskkonda, kus inimesed on avatumad. (We are looking for a friendlier environment where people are open.)

- Ta kolis sõbralikumasse linna. (He moved to a friendlier city.)

Notes:

- Sõbralikumasse reflects comparative degree and illative case simultaneously, and the noun it describes remains in illative (ending -sse or corresponding illative form).

- This form is common in descriptive or evaluative contexts about social settings, communities, or environments that are considered more welcoming or agreeable.

See also:

Estonian grammar covers illative case and the formation of comparative adjectives, including how -asse attaches to the comparative stem.