Teenindatavate

Teenindatavate is an Estonian grammatical form derived from the participial adjective teenindatav, meaning “to be served” or “to be attended to.” In linguistic and administrative use, teenindatavate functions as a genitive plural form describing people or items that are scheduled or intended to receive service.

Etymology and grammar: The word combines the verb stem teenindama (to serve) with the -atav participle suffix, which yields a passive sense. The genitive plural ending -ate marks possession or relation to a head noun in a phrase, so teenindatavate appears in phrases such as teenindatavate isikute nimekiri (a list of persons to be served) or teenindatavate toodete arv (the number of products to be serviced).

Usage: Teenindatavate is primarily a formal or technical term used in written Estonian, particularly in service-management, administration, or data contexts. It acts as a modifier within noun phrases rather than as an independent noun. Examples include: Nimekiri sisaldab teenindatavate isikute kontakte (The list contains contacts of the people to be served); Süsteem kuvab praegu kõikide teenindatavate klientide andmed (The system currently displays the data of all clients to be served); Teenindatavate arv on suurenenud (The number of those to be served has increased).

Alternatives and notes: In everyday speech, speakers often use more direct expressions such as teenindamiseks oodatavad kliendid (customers waiting to be served) or kliendid, keda teenindatakse, depending on context. Teenindatavate is a valid, descriptive form in formal writing, but its usage may be less familiar outside administrative or technical texts.

See also: teenindatav, teenindama.