töötajal

Töötajal is the inessive singular form of the Estonian noun töötaja, meaning employee. This oblique case form is used in contexts where the employee is the possessor, owner, or referent of a predicate, or when describing states or relations attributed to the employee. In everyday speech the nominative töötaja is typically used for the subject, while töönel or other cases appear in more specialized or formal constructions.

Morphology and usage: Töötaja stems receive the inessive suffix -l in the form -ajal, yielding tööntajal with the suffix -al integrated in -ajal. The exact interpretation depends on the sentence structure and the governing verb or predicate. The form commonly appears in administrative, legal, and employment-related language, where it helps express rights, obligations, or conditions connected to an employee. It is not a separate word with a new meaning; rather, it is a grammatical form of the existing noun töötaja.

Examples and notes: A typical use is to convey possession or attribution in a sentence with the verb olema (to be). For instance, a sentence like “Töötajal on õigus saada palka” can be understood as “The employee has the right to receive pay,” emphasizing the employee’s rights. The exact nuance can shift with context and accompanying words, so the form is best treated as a grammatical tool rather than a distinct semantic unit.

Relation to töötaja: Töötajal is closely tied to the basic noun töötaja (employee). Knowledge of Estonian case forms helps in understanding its function in sentences, especially in formal writing about employment relationships, workers’ rights, and workplace duties. See also töötaja for a general overview of the term.