Allative case in Estonian

When to use the allative case in Estonian?

The allative (alaleütlev kääne in Estonian) indicates movement toward something.

It has two basic meanings:

1) The allative indicates the object onto the surface of which a movement occurs. It answers the questions kuhu? 'where to?', kellele? 'on(to) whom?' and millele? 'on(to) what?'.

• Pane klaas lauale. --- Put the glass on(to) the table.
• Istu pingile. --- Sit (down) on the bench.
• Ta sõitis välismaale. --- He went abroad.

2) The allative indicates the person to whom one gives or says something. It answers the questions kellele? 'to whom?' and millele? 'to what?'.

• Anna see raha temale. --- Give that money to her.
• Ütlesin sõbrale, et ta on väga kena. --- I told my friend that she is very nice.
• Ma kirjutan emale kirja. --- I will write a letter to my mother.

How to form the allative case in Estonian?

The ending -le is added to the genitive case of a word.