tõelisteks

Tõelisteks is an Estonian grammatical form: the translative plural of the adjective tõeline, meaning “real,” “true,” or “genuine.” It is used to express a change of state, typically in predicative constructions with a following plural noun, or with verbs that denote becoming. In this usage, the suffix -ks marks the translative case, indicating transformation into a new state.

Morphology and usage details: the base adjective tõeline has the plural nominative form tõelised. When forming the translative with a plural noun, the form becomes tõelisteks, as in phrases like tõelisteks sõpradeks “into real friends” or tõelisteks ekspertideks “into real experts.” This construction is common after verbs such as muutuma (to become) and saama (to become/become regarded as).

Examples:

- Nad said tõelisteks sõpradeks. (They became real friends.)

- Ta muutus tõelisteks ekspertideks. (He/she became a real expert.)

Related forms include singular translative equivalents such as tõeliseks sõbraks (into a real friend) or tõeliseks eksperdiks (into a real expert), depending on number and noun gender. The translative form is a distinct feature of Estonian grammar used to express the transformation of persons or things into a new, genuinely real state.

In summary, tõelisteks functions as the plural translative form of tõeline, conveying “into real/true ones” and is most commonly encountered in clauses describing change of state with plural nouns.

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