põhjalikuks

Põhjalikuks is the translative singular form of the Estonian adjective põhjalik, which means thorough, comprehensive or meticulous. The translative case in Estonian marks a change of state or a result, roughly equivalent to “to become …” in English. Thus põhjalikuks is used to express turning into a thorough condition or quality.

In usage, põhjalikuks typically occurs with verbs of becoming, such as muutma (to become) or saama (to become). Common constructions include ta muutus põhjalikuks analüütikuks (he became a thorough analyst) and lähenemine sai põhjalikuks (the approach became thorough). The form can also appear in phrases indicating purpose or outcome, for example põhjalikuks uurimiseks meaning “for thorough investigation.” In ordinary narrative prose, the predicative position with põhjalik remains natural when describing a state resulting from prior effort or assessment.

Morphologically, põhjalikuks is formed from the adjective põhjalik with the translative suffix -uks. It is part of the family that includes the adverb põhjalikult (thoroughly) and the noun põhjalikkus (thoroughness). The translative form is most common in formal, technical, or literary Estonian and is less frequent in casual speech, where alternatives like “märksa põhjalik” or “tingimuseks põhjalik” might be used instead.

See also: põhjalik (the base adjective), põhjalikult (adverb), põhjalikkus (thoroughness). Synonyms include detailne and täpne in some contexts, though põhjalik carries a stronger sense of comprehensiveness.