translativecase

The translative case is a grammatical case used by some languages to signal a change of state or transformation into something else. It commonly corresponds to English into or to become and is often used with verbs of becoming or changing, marking the endpoint of a process rather than the current state.

In Finnish, the translative is one of the language’s cases and is formed with the suffix -ksi. It marks a transition into a new state or role. A typical example is, “Mies tuli opettajaksi,” meaning “The man became a teacher.” The translative can also appear with other nouns to express becoming or turning into a particular identity or condition.

In Estonian, a translative form, known as translatiiv, is used similarly to mark change into a new state. It is usually realized with the suffix -ks (or -aks in some phonological contexts). For example, “Ta sai õpetajaks,” translates as “He became a teacher.” The Estonian translative interacts with verbs of becoming and is distinct from other case moods that describe a current state.

Typologically, translative systems are most common in Finno-Ugric languages and are relatively rare cross-linguistically. They are often taught as part of larger case inventories that include locative and essive cases. The translative contrasts with the essive, which marks a temporary or ongoing state rather than a change into that state.

Etymology derives from a term meaning “changing into” and is related to broader notions of directionality and state change in grammar. See also essive, illative, inessive, and other case forms used to express states and transitions.