eeskujulikku

Eeskujulikku is an Estonian adjective form meaning exemplary or model-worthy. It is the partitive singular form of the adjective eeskujulik, used before nouns in constructions where the noun is in the partitive case or expresses an indefinite amount. The base noun eeskuju, meaning "example," provides the semantic core of the word.

Etymology: The word derives from eeskuju (example) plus the suffix -lik, which forms adjectives with the sense of “like” or “worthy of.” The inflected form eeskujulikku represents the partitive singular, a common pattern when describing qualities of nouns in Estonian grammar. This form is distinct from the nominative eeskujulik, which is used in predicate or attributive positions with definite nouns.

Usage: Eeskujulikku is common in formal writing, journalism, education, and evaluative discourse. It typically modifies nouns referring to conduct, work, or behavior and occurs in phrases such as eeskujulikku tööd (exemplary work) or eeskujulikku käitumist (exemplary behavior). The predicate form in the nominative is eeskujulik, as in See on eeskujulik käitumine (This is exemplary behavior).

Examples:

- Ta tegi eeskujulikku tööd. (He did exemplary work.)

- Kampaania edendas eeskujulikku käitumist. (The campaign promoted exemplary behavior.)

- See on eeskujulik käitumine. (This is exemplary behavior.)

See also: eeskujulik (base form of the adjective) and eeskuju (example).