käändkonna

Käändkonna is a term used in Estonian linguistics to describe a specific type of grammatical case. It refers to the dative case, which typically indicates the indirect object of a verb or the recipient of an action. The dative case in Estonian is formed by adding certain suffixes to the noun stem, and its usage can vary depending on the grammatical context.

In Estonian grammar, nouns inflect for case, number, and ownership. The dative case is one of the fourteen grammatical cases found in the language. It is often translated into English using prepositions like "to" or "for." For example, the dative form of "maja" (house) is "majale," meaning "to the house."

The dative case plays a crucial role in conveying the relationship between different parts of a sentence. It helps to clarify who or what is affected by the action of the verb. Understanding the function and formation of käändkonna is essential for correct Estonian grammar and comprehension. The specific suffixes used for the dative case can depend on the declension class of the noun.