Võrdseks

Võrdseks is a grammatical form of the Estonian adjective võrdne, meaning equal or equivalent. It is the translative case form, used to express a change of state into equality or to mark that something is to become equal to something else. The term is common in formal, technical, and mathematical contexts.

Formation and usage: The translative suffix -seks is added to the stem võrdne to create võrdseks. It is used with verbs of becoming, such as saama (to become) and muutuma (to change), and in expressions that require turning something into equality. Examples include Ta sai võrdseks minuga (He became equal to me) and Need kaks arvu tuleb võrdseks võtta (These two numbers must be taken as equal). Võrdseks can also appear in fixed phrases indicating equivalence or attribution, such as võrdseks pidama (to regard as equal).

In mathematics and logic: In Estonian mathematical language, võrdseks communicates equality, often in constructions like x võrdub y (x equals y) or x on võrdne y (x is equal to y). The common symbol for equality, võrdusmärk, is used in equations and formulas. The translative form võrdseks emphasizes the state of becoming or being treated as equal in a given context.

Etymology and relation: Võrdseks forms part of the larger word family derived from võrdne, with the suffix -seks marking a translative meaning. It is distinct from the nominative or predicative forms and is primarily a grammatical tool rather than a standalone lexical item.

See also: võrdne, võrdsus, võrdlus, võrdusmärk.