kriitilistele

Kriitilistele is an Estonian inflected form of the adjective kriitiline (critical). It represents the allative plural form used when the adjective directly accompanies a plural noun in the allative case, indicating direction toward or for that group. In practice, kriitilistele functions as a descriptive modifier before a plural noun such as inimesed (people) or arvustajad (reviewers) and means “to the critical [people/reviewers]" or “for the critical [people/reviewers].”

Grammatical notes about its use are typical for Estonian adjectives. Adjectives agree with the noun in number and case, and when the noun is plural and in the allative, the adjective takes the ending -ilistele. This form is not a standalone noun; it is part of a phrase that specifies whom or what is being referred to, commonly in formal or analytical writing. For example, kriitilistele inimestele mõeldud teave would translate to “information intended for the critical people,” and kriitilistele arvustajatele suunatud kilekott would be “a bag directed at the critical reviewers.” Such constructions are common in discussions about audiences, critics, or evaluators.

Etymology-wise, kriitilistele derives from kriitiline plus the standard allative plural ending, reflecting Estonian’s system of case marking on adjectives. The form contrasts with other case endings such as nominative kriitilised (the critical, plural) or genitive kriitiliste (of the critics), illustrating how Estonian adjectives adapt to grammatical role rather than standing alone.

See also: Estonian grammar, allative case, adjective declension.