terviklikuks

terviklikuks is the translative form of the Estonian adjective terviklik, meaning holistic or integral. In Estonian grammar, the translative case expresses a change of state, roughly translating to “into a state of.” Therefore, terviklikuks is used with verbs of becoming to convey that something is becoming or is made holistic.

Etymology and form: the word is formed from the stem terviklik- plus the translative suffix -uks. As a grammatical form, it does not describe a separate concept on its own but signals a resulting state of wholeness or integration in a sentence.

Usage: ter vkikuks typically appears in formal or descriptive writing about projects, systems, or processes undergoing integration or a shift toward wholeness. It is most common with verbs of changing state, such as muutuma (to become) or muutuda (to become). Example sentences include: “Projekt muutus terviklikuks pärast kõigi osade ühendamist” and “Süsteem sai terviklikuks integreerimisel osade toimimise lõimimise tulemusena.” The form highlights the end state of holism rather than the process itself.

Nuances: terviklikkus is the noun form meaning integrity or wholeness, which is related but distinct from the translative terviklikuks. In everyday speech, speakers may choose simpler expressions depending on context, but terviklikuks remains a precise grammatical way to indicate a transition into a holistic state in Estonian.