ongelmaksi

Ongelmaksi is the translative form of the Finnish noun ongelma (problem). It denotes that something has become or is being regarded as a problem. It roughly corresponds to “into a problem” or “as a problem” in English when used predicatively with verbs of change, such as tulla, muuttua, or osoittautua. The form is created by adding the translative suffix -ksi to the stem ongelma, yielding ongelmaksi.

Usage is common in both written and analytical Finnish. It appears in constructions describing a change of state or role, for example: tilanne muuttui ongelmaksi (the situation turned into a problem), asia osoittautui ongelmaksi (the matter proved to be a problem), se tulee ongelmaksi (it becomes a problem). The translative emphasises transformation rather than a static description.

Grammatical notes differentiate ongelmaksi from related forms. The essive form ongelmana means “as a problem” in a more static sense, such as describing a role or function at a given moment. In contrast, ongelmaksi expresses that something has become or is treated as a problem, typically in contexts of analysis, planning, or evaluation.

See also: Finnish translative case; ongelma.