To Whom (Allative)

Level 2

Ma annan sulle raamatu means I will give you the book. Helista mulle means Call me.

How It Works

The allative -le means onto or to. With people it marks the receiver or addressee:

  • andma (give): Ma annan sulle raamatu.
  • ütlema (say): Ütle talle tere!
  • helistama (call): Helista mulle homme.
  • kirjutama, saatma (write, send): Saatsin emale kirja.
  • näitama (show): Näita mulle oma pilte!
  • ostma, tooma (buy or bring for): Ostsin lapsele jäätist.

The pronoun forms are mulle, sulle, talle (or temale), meile, teile, neile. Ask with kellele?

The opposite direction uses the ablative -lt: you get, take or ask something from someone. Sain emalt kirja. Küsi temalt! (Ask him!) küsima takes the ablative, not the allative.

Examples (6)

  1. Ma annan sulle raamatu.

    I will give you the book.

    Word by Word: I give you-to book

  2. Ütle talle tere!

    Say hi to him!

  3. Helista mulle homme.

    Call me tomorrow.

    Helistama takes the allative, not an object.

  4. Saatsin emale kirja.

    I sent Mum a letter.

  5. Kellele sa selle kingituse ostsid?

    Who did you buy this present for?

  6. Näita mulle oma pilte!

    Show me your pictures!

Common Mistakes

  • Treating the person you call as a direct object.

    Helista mind homme.
    Helista mulle homme.

    helistama takes the allative: you call to someone.

  • Using the allative with küsima.

    Küsi talle, kus ta elab.
    Küsi temalt, kus ta elab.

    You ask from someone, so küsima takes the ablative -lt.

  • Leaving the receiver in the nominative.

    Ma annan sina raamatu.
    Ma annan sulle raamatu.

    The receiver goes in the allative: sulle.

How It Connects

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To Whom (Allative)Level 2

Learn This First

The allative also marks the receiver.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

kes