tõhusaks

Tõhusaks is the translative form of the Estonian adjective tõhus, meaning efficient or effective. It is used to indicate a change of state into being efficient or effective. In practice, it answers what state something becomes, rather than describing its current quality in the nominative form.

Etymology and grammar: Tõhus is the base adjective. The translative case suffix -ks is added to express transformation or becoming, producing tõhusaks. This form is commonly used with verbs that denote a change, such as muutuma (to become) or saama (to become). Adverbial usage for the manner of efficiency is tõhusalt, which is distinct from the translative form.

Usage: The word typically describes people, processes, organizations, or systems that have become efficient or effective. It is especially common in business, education, and technology contexts where improvements in performance, workflow, or resource use are discussed. Tõhusaks is not used as an adverb; for that purpose, kasutatakse tõhusalt.

Examples:

- Ta muutus tõhusaks juhiks. (He became an efficient leader.)

- Meeskond muutus tõhusaks pärast uute töövoogude juurutamist. (The team became efficient after implementing new workflows.)

- Ettevõtte eesmärk on saada tõhusaks ja vähendada kulusid. (The company aims to become efficient and reduce costs.)

See also: Related concepts include tõhusus (efficiency or effectiveness as a noun) and efektiivsus, which is a closely related term often used interchangeably in colloquial speech. Tõhusaks contrasts with the adverbial tõhusalt, which describes the manner of performing an action efficiently.