materiaaleiksi

Materiaaleiksi is a Finnish grammatical form meaning “into materials” or “as materials.” It is the translative case form of the noun materiaali when used in its plural sense, indicating a change of state or a new function. The singular counterpart is materiaaliksi, while the plural form is materiaaleiksi. The translative is commonly used with verbs that express becoming or turning into something, such as muuttaa (to change), tulla (to become), or tehdä (to make).

In Finnish, the translative expresses a transformation or a role assignment. With material-focused language, materiaaleiksi appears in contexts where things are repurposed, recycled, or designated to function as materials in manufacturing, construction, or design. The form signals that the subject is now used or regarded as materials rather than in its previous form. For example, tähteet muutettiin materiaaleiksi, meaning that the waste was converted into materials.

Usage notes and examples:

- The translative plural materiaaleiksi typically appears after passive or impersonal verbs, or in descriptive phrases about processes such as recycling or material recovery.

- The related singular form, materiaaliksi, is used when referring to becoming a single material or a material in a general sense, whereas materiaaleiksi handles plural materials.

See also:

- Finnish grammar, translative case

- Recycling and circular economy terminology in Finnish

- Material (etymology and usage in Finnish)