väikesesse

Väikesesse is an Estonian grammatical form, specifically the illative singular of the adjective väike. It is used to express motion into something that is small or into a space that is small in size, and it precedes a noun in illative case.

InEstonian, adjectives agree with the noun they modify in case and number. The illative form of väike is väikesesse, which attaches before the noun it describes when the noun is in illative. This yields phrases such as väikesesse kasti, meaning into the small box. The form reflects standard Estonian phonology, including vowel harmony, and follows the general pattern of illative construction for adjectives.

Usage notes:

- Väikesesse is typically found in noun phrases where the head noun is in illative, often describing spatial movement or direction.

- The construction is common in descriptive, narrative, and instructional contexts to specify entering or placing objects into a small container or space.

- As with other Estonian adjectives, the form changes to match the noun’s case and number; vägeseesse applies to singular illative modifiers, while other illative forms would be used for different noun classes or plural contexts.

Examples:

- Ta pani asjad väikesesse kasti. (He put the things into the small box.)

- Lapsed läksid väikesesse tuppa. (The children went into the small room.) Note: tuppa is a separate illative form for the noun tupu/tuba in use; väikesesse modifies the illative noun phrase.

See also:

- Estonian grammar

- Illative case

- Väike (adjective)

Väikesesse functions primarily as a grammatical tool for indicating movement into a small object or space and is not a standalone lexical entry beyond its role as an inflected form.