põhilisteks

Põhilisteks is the translative plural form of the Estonian adjective põhilised, meaning "the main ones" or "principal." It is used to express a change of state or designation in which a group is identified as the main or leading ones.

In Estonian grammar, the translative case marked by the ending -ks signals becoming or turning into something. Põhilisteks thus functions as a predicative complement in constructions that describe turning a group into the main or leading position, often after verbs of becoming or designation.

Typical usage involves phrases with plural subjects and predicates that name the role or status of the group. For example: Nad pidasid end põhilisteks tegijateks (They regarded themselves as the main players). Tegevus ja organism pidasid neid põhilisteks konkurentideks (The entities regarded them as main competitors). Note that the plural form is specific to contexts involving multiple entities; the singular translative is põhiliseks.

Etymology and form: Põhilisteks derives from põhiline, meaning main or principal, with the translative suffix -eks applied to the plural stem. The form reflects standard Estonian morphology for adjectives in the translative case.

See also: Estonian grammar, translative case, adjectives, predicative constructions.