ametlikeks

Ametlikeks is an Estonian inflected form of the adjective ametlik, meaning official or formal. It is used to express a change of status or designation into an official role or position, typically in contexts where the subject is plural or where the sentence conveys becoming or designation.

Morphology and usage

The form ametiellikeks involves adding the -eks ending to the stem ametlik. It generally appears in sentences describing a transition into an official status or role, often with verbs that indicate becoming or being designated, such as saam(a) or muutuma. The form is most common when the subject of the sentence is plural, producing phrases that can be translated as “became officials” or “were designated as officials.” An example is nad said ametlikeks liikmeteks, meaning “they became official members.” The singular counterparts use different endings, such as ametlikuks in predicates that express becoming in the singular.

Etymology

Ametlikeks derives from the base adjective ametlik, compounded with the suffix -eks, a productive Estonian ending used to express designation or transition into a new state. The combination yields a kiliki form appropriate for predicative use with certain verbs.

See also

Estonian grammar, adjectives in Estonian, Estonian case and mood systems, verb-as-patep constructions with muutuma and saama. For further details, consult Estonian language grammars and dictionaries that cover inflected forms and usage of ametlik.