kõnelejale

Kõnelejale is the dative singular form of the Estonian noun kõneleja, meaning “the speaker” or “orator.” The suffix -le marks the dative case, which is used for the indirect object or recipient of an action. Therefore, kõnelejale translates roughly as “to the speaker” or “for the speaker” depending on the verb and context.

Usage is determined by the question kellele? (to whom?). It is used when something is directed toward the speaker or when the speaker is the beneficiary of an action. The form appears in both formal and informal language and is common in contexts involving communication, requests, gifting, or addressed speech.

Examples:

- Ma andsin raamatu kõnelejale. (I gave the book to the speaker.)

- Küsimus esitati kõnelejale. (The question was directed to the speaker.)

- Ta kirjutas kirja kõnelejale. (He wrote a letter to the speaker.)

Etymology and form: kõnelejale is formed from the base kõneleja with the standard Estonian dative suffix -le. This illustrates how Estonian marks indirect objects without a separate preposition in many contexts, though phrases can still include prepositional expressions such as “kellele” to indicate the recipient.

In summary, kõnelejale denotes the recipient or beneficiary in a sentence and is the standard dative singular form of kõneleja.