Võtmeks

Võtmeks is the translative singular form of the Estonian noun võti, meaning “key.” In Estonian grammar, the translative case (translatiiv) expresses a change of state, role, or designation of function, roughly corresponding to the English “as a” or “to become.” Võtmeks is used when something is described as being used as a key or having taken on the role of a key element in a context.

Formation and usage: The stem võti takes the translative suffix -meks, producing võtmeks. This form appears in formal or descriptive writing and serves to designate a state or role rather than a simple nominative reference. In practice, võtmeks may appear in phrases and constructions that discuss becoming a key factor or designation in a situation.

Common collocations and related terms: The word participates in established expressions such as võtmetähtsusega (of key importance) and võtitegur (key factor). These compounds illustrate how võti can be extended to convey centrality, significance, or crucial roles in analyses, reports, or explanatory text.

Relation to other forms: The nominative võti can refer to a physical key or a figurative key (a crucial element). The translative võtmeks emphasizes the aspect of becoming or being designated as that key element, aligning with broader Estonian patterns for case-based designation.

See also: võti, translatiiv (translative case), võtmetähtsusega, võtmetegur.