ettevõttel

Ettevõttel is the adessive singular form of the Estonian noun ettevõte, meaning a company or enterprise. The word is used to indicate possession or association with a company, often in clauses with the verb olema (to be) or having (omama) in a way that translates to “the company has” or “at the company.”

Grammatical function and formation

Ettevõte is declined like other Estonian nouns. The adessive singular form ettevõttel marks the possessor or the location in expressions describing ownership or association, for example in sentences such as “Ettevõttel on 50 töötajat” (The company has 50 employees). This construction is common in corporate or organizational contexts.

Usage

- Possession: Ettevõttel on palju ressursse. (The company has many resources.)

- Organization and management: Ettevõttel on uus kontor. (The company has a new office.)

- Financial or structural statements: Ettevõttel on suur investeering plaanis. (The company has a large investment planned.)

Notes

The form emphasizes the company as the holder or possessor rather than as the location of action. In everyday Estonian, the more general possessive construction for individuals is often rendered with the pronoun mul (minul) in colloquial speech, but in formal or written contexts, the possessive structure with the possessor in the adessive, such as ettevõttel, is standard when referring to a company. The plural form for multiple companies follows the same adessive pattern with the corresponding plural ending.

Related terms

The base noun is ettevõte; related forms include genitive ettevõtte (of the company) and inessive ettevõttes (in the company). The concept is widely used in business, economics, and administrative language.