tinkamais

Tinkamais is the instrumental plural form of the Lithuanian adjective tinkamas, which means suitable or appropriate. In Lithuanian grammar, adjectives agree with the nouns they modify in gender, number, and case. The form tinkamais is used when the noun it describes is in the instrumental case, often in phrases that indicate means, manner, or accompaniment. It also appears in predicative constructions with verbs that take an instrumental complement, such as laikyti or būti.

Usage and examples:

Commonly, tinkamais modifies plural nouns in the instrumental case. For example: Su tinkamais įrankiais galima atlikti darbą. This translates to “With suitable tools one can carry out the work,” showing how the adjective agrees with the noun įrankiai in instrumental form. Another example is Šie įrankiai laikomi tinkamais, meaning “These tools are considered suitable,” a predicative use where tinkamais complements the subject.

Etymology and relation to related forms:

Tinkamais derives from the adjective tinkamas, which is used broadly to denote suitability or fitness. The instrumental plural form contrasts with other case forms such as tinkami (nominative plural) or tinkamos (feminine forms), reflecting Lithuanian’s rich system of adjective declension by case, number, and gender.

See also:

Lithuanian grammar, adjectives, instrumental case, predicative constructions.