nähtavateks

Nähtavateks is a grammatical form in the Estonian language. It represents the translative plural form of the adjective nähtav, meaning "visible" or "observable." The translative case in Estonian marks a change of state or a resultative condition, roughly corresponding to “into becoming” in English. Nähtavateks thus conveys “into becoming visible” or “to be seen” when referring to multiple items or entities.

Formation and morphology: The form is constructed from the stem nähtav- by adding the translative plural suffix -avateks. It is used specifically in contexts where the subject is plural and described as undergoing the transition to visibility.

Usage and context: Nähtavateks occurs mainly in descriptive or technical registers, such as linguistics, scientific writing, or literary prose, where processes or states are discussed for several items. In everyday speech, the form is relatively uncommon and may appear primarily in formal or specialized texts.

Nuance and function: Using nähtavateks emphasizes a collective transition into visibility rather than a single object becoming visible. It can convey a sense of simultaneity or outcome affecting multiple referents.

See also: Estonian grammar, translative case, nähtav (visible), visibility.