Finnish Grammar

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Alphabet

1 Letters

The Finnish alphabet has 29

letters: a, b, c, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, k, l, m, n,o, p, q, r, s, t, u, v, w, x, y, z, å, ä j

a ö. The letters š and ž can occur only in loan words.

2 Inflection

Letters are declined in 15 cases like other nominals, too. A letter or a letter

combination that is pronounced letter by letter are separated from a case ending

and a possible plural marker by a colon, e.g. A:sta B:hen 'from A to B', LP:iden ja

CD:iden myynti 'sale of LPs and CDs', EU:ssa 'in the EU', WC:hen 'into the WC',

WC:istä 'from the WCs', and tv:ssä 'in the TV'. If the vowel in the case ending is a

part of a long vowel, both vowels are written after the colon. This applies to the

partitive and illative of some letters, e.g. n:ää 'n' (partitive) and s:ään 'into s'

(illative).

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Vowels

1 Vowel Phonems

There are 8 vowel phonemes in Finnish: [a], [e], [i], [o], [u], [y], [æ], and [ø].

Back vowels are a [a], o [o], and u [u], middle vowels are e [e] and i[i], and

front vowels are ä [æ], ö [ø], and y [y]. The guideline for pronunciation follows

the system of the International Phonetic Alphabet(IPA).

Back vowels Middle vowels Front vowels

a e ä

o i ö

u y

2 Duration

The vowels have two durations: short and long. A short vowel is written with one

letter and a long one with two letters.

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Consonants

1 Consonant Phonemes

There are 13 consonant phonemes in Finnish: [d], [h], [j], [k], [l], [m], [n], [ŋ],

[p], [r], [s], [t], and [v]. Phonemes [b], [f], [g], [ʃ], [z], and [ʒ] may occur only

in loan words.

2 Duration

Consonants have two durations: short and long. A short consonant is written with

one letter and a long consonant usually with two similar letters. In native Finnish

words, only the phonemes [h], [j], [k], [l], [m], [n], [ŋ], [p], [r], [s], [t], and [v]

can occur as long consonants. The [j] phoneme is pronounced long only after a

diphthong in which the second component is i, e.g. leija [leijja] 'kite' and tuija

[tuijja] 'arborvitae (Thuja)'. Accordingly, the [v] phoneme is pronounced long

after a diphthong in which the second component is u, e.g. vauva [vauvva] 'baby'

and sauva [sauvva] 'stick'. The long consonant is written with a single letter in

both cases. The [ŋ] phoneme has no letter of its own. The long [ŋ] phoneme may

occur only between two vowels and it is marked with ng then, e.g. kengät

[keŋŋæt] 'shoes' and kuningas [kuniŋŋas] 'king'. The short [ŋ] phoneme is

marked with n in front of k, e.g. kenkä [keŋkæ] 'shoe' and sanka [saŋka] 'handle',

and with g in front of n, e.g. signaali [siŋna:li] 'signal' and magneetti [maŋne:tti]

'magnet', and with ng elsewhere, e.g. englanti [eŋlanti] 'English' and kongressi

[koŋressi] 'congress'.

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Consonant gradation

Strong grade Weak grade

KK/PP/TT

K/P/T

kukka

kukan

flower

of the flower

pappi

papin

pastor

of the pastor

matto

maton

carpet

of the carpet

K/P/T

-(V)/V/D

käki

käen

cuckoo

of the cuckoo

kyky

kyvyn

ability

of the ability

käpy

kävyn

cone

of the cone

koti

kodin

home

of the home

LK/LP/LT

L(J)/LV/LL

jalka

jalan

foot

of the foot

jälki

jäljen

track

of the track

halpa

halvan

cheap

of the cheap (thing)

silta

sillan

bridge

of the brigde

RK/RP/RT

R(J)/RV/RR

märkä

märän

wet

of the wet (thing)

kurki

kurjen

crane

of the crane

arpa

arvan

lot

of the lot

kerta

kerran

time

of the time

NK/MP/NT

NG/MM/NN

kenkä

kengän

shoe

of the shoe

kampa

kamman

comb

of the comb

ranta

rannan

shore

of the shore

HK/(HP)/HT

H/-/HD

vihko

vihon

notebook

of the notebook

lahti

lahden

bay

of the bay

GG/BB/(DD)

G/B/-diggaan

digata

I like

to like

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Vowel change I > E

Nominative Genetive Partitive English

alpi alven alpea loosestrife (Lysimachia)

appi apen appea father-in-law

arki arjen arkea workday

arpi arven arpea scar

hanhi hanhen hanhea goose

hanki hangen hankea snow

happi hapen happea oxygen

hapsi hapsen hasta / hapsea slight hair

hauki hauen haukea pike

heisi heiden heittä cranberry bush (Viburnum)

helmi helmen helmeä pearl

henki hengen henkeä breath

hetki hetken hetkeä moment

hiili hiilen hiiltä coal

hiiri hiiren hiirtä mouse

hiisi hiiden hiittä holy grove

hiki hien hikeä sweat

hirsi hirren hirttä timber

hirvi hirven hirveä elk

huoli huolen huolta trouble

huuli huulen huulta lip

impi immen impeä virgin

joki joen jokea river

jouhi jouhen jouhea horsehair

jousi jousen jousta bow

juoni juonen juonta vein

juuri juuren juurta root

jälki jäljen jälkeä track

jälsi jällen jälttä cambium

järki järjen järkeä mind

järvi järven järveä lake

Jääski Jääsken Jääskeä a town in Karelia

kaali kaalen¹ kaalta¹ cabbage

kaari kaaren kaarta curve

kaihi kaihen kaihea cataract, glaucoma

kaikki kaiken kaikkea all

kaksi kahden kahta two

kampi kammen kampea crank

kanki kangen kankea pry bar

kansi kannen kantta cover

karhi karhen karhea harrow

kaski kasken kaskea burn-clearing

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kieli kielen kieltä language, tongue

kiiski kiisken kiiskeä ruffe

kilpi kilven kilpeä shield

kirsi kirren kirttä frost

kivi kiven kiveä stone

koipi koiven koipea leg

korpi korven korpea woods

korsi korren kortta straw

koski kosken koskea rapids

kuori kuoren kuorta peel

kurki kurjen kurkea crane

kusi kusen kusta piss

kuusi kuuden kuutta six

kuusi kuusen kuusta spruce (Picea)

kylki kyljen kylkeä side

Kymi Kymen Kymeä a river in Finland

kynsi kynnen kynttä nail

käki käen käkeä cockoo

kärki kärjen kärkeä point

käsi käden kättä hand

köysi köyden köyttä rope

lahti lahden lahtea bay

laki laen lakea top (of a hill)

lampi lammen lampea pond

lapsi lapsen lasta child

lehti lehden lehteä leaf

lempi lemmen lempeä love

leski lesken leskeä widow(er)

liemi liemen lientä broth

liesi lieden liettä stove

lohi lohen lohta salmon

loimi loimen loimea warp, blanket

Louhi Louhen Louhea a figure in Kalevala

lovi loven lovea nick

lumi lumen lunta snow

luomi luomen luomea eyelid

länki längen länkeä

länsi lännen länttä west

meri meren merta see

mesi meden mettä honey

mieli mielen mieltä mind

moni monen monta many

mäki mäen mäkeä hill

niemi niemen nientä / niemeä cape

niini niinen niintä bast

nimi nimen nimeä name

noki noen nokea soot

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nuoli nuolen nuolta arrow

nuori nuoren nuorta young

nurmi nurmen nurmea grass

närhi närhen närheä jay

onki ongen onkea rod and line

onni onnen onnea luck

orsi orren ortta perch

ovi oven ovea door

paasi paaden paatta rock bench

parsi parren partta stall

parvi parven parvea flock

peitsi peitsen peistä / peitseä lance

pieli pielen pieltä edge

pieni pienen pientä small

piki pien pikeä pitch

pilvi pilven pilveä cloud

polvi polven polvea knee

ponsi ponnen pontta anther

poski posken poskea cheek

povi poven povea bust

puoli puolen puolta half

pursi purren purtta boat, yacht

putki putken putkea pipe

pälvi pälven pälveä small snowless area (in the spring)

reki reen rekeä sleigh

reisi reiden reittä thigh

retki retken retkeä trip

riihi riihen riihtä drying barn

ripsi ripsen ripseä eyelash

rupi ruven rupea scab

ruuhi ruuhen ruuhta punt

saari saaren saarta island

saarni saarnen saarnea ash

saksi saksen saksea scissors

salmi salmen salmea strait

sampi sammen sampea sturgeon

sappi sapen sappea gall bladder

sarvi sarven sarvea horn

savi saven savea clay

seimi seimen seimeä manger

sieni sienen sientä mushroom

siili siilen¹ siiltä¹ hedgehog

siipi siiven siipeä wing

sini sinen sineä blue

solki soljen solkea buckle

soppi sopen soppea place, corner

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suksi suksen suksea / susta ski

suoli suolen suolta intestine

Suomi Suomen Suomea Finland

suomi suomen suomea Finnish

suoni suonen suonta blood vessel

susi suden sutta wolf

suuri suuren suurta big

suvi suven suvea summer

syli sylen syltä fathom

sylki syljen sylkeä saliva

sysi syden syttä coal

sänki sängen sänkeä stubble

särki särjen särkeä roach

sääri säären säärtä shin

sääski sääsken sääskeä mosquito

taimi taimen taimea seedling

talvi talven talvea winter

tammi tammen tammea oak

teeri teeren teertä black grouse

telki teljen telkeä bolt

tiili tiilen tiiltä brick

tilhi tilhen tilheä waxwing

toimi toimen tointa / toimea job, post

tonki tongen tonkea pliers

torvi torven torvea horn

tosi toden totta true

tuki tuen tukea support

tuli tulen tulta fire

tuohi tuohen tuohta birch bark

tuomi tuomen tuomea /

tuonta black cherry

tuoni tuonen tuonta death

tuppi tupen tuppea sheath

tuuli tuulen tuulta wind

typpi typen typpeä nitrogen

tyvi tyven tyveä base

tyyni tyynen tyyntä still

tähti tähden tähteä star

täysi täyden täyttä full

uksi uksen usta door

uni unen unta sleep

uuhi uuhen uuhta female sheep

uusi uuden uutta new

varsi varren vartta stem

veitsi veitsen veistä /

veitseä¹ knife

veli veljen veljeä brother

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vesi veden vettä water

vieri vieren viertä side

viiksi viiksen viikseä mustache

viini viinen viintä quiver

viisi viiden viittä five

virpi virven virpeä twig

virsi virren virttä hymn

vuohi vuohen vuohta goat

Vuoksi Vuoksen Vuoksea a river in Finland

vuori vuoren vuorta mountain

vuosi vuoden vuotta year

vyyhti vyyhden vyyhteä skein

väki väen väkeä people

yksi yhden yhtä one

ääni äänen ääntä voice

ääri äären äärtä edge

¹ The inflectional form does not follow the paradigm shown in Nykysuomen sanakirja, but it is widely used.

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Personal Pronouns

1 Inflection

The personal pronouns are shown in the following table.

Person Singular Plural

1st minä me

2nd sinä te

3rd hän he

The personal pronouns are declined in all cases except for the comitative and

instructive. There are no grammatical genders in Finnish and that is why there is

only one pronoun for the third person singular (he and she) and also for the third

person plural (they).

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Demonstrative Pronouns

1 Inflection

The demonstrative pronouns are shown in the following table.

Singular Plural

tämä nämä

tuo nuo

se ne

The demonstrative are declined in all cases. Some adverbial cases are also

possible.

2 Usage

Demonstrative pronouns can stand alone or be used with a noun. When used with

a noun, the demonstrative pronoun is between a preposition and attributes.

preposition + demonstrative pronoun + attributes + noun

demonstrative pronoun + attributes + noun + postposition

2.1 Tämä and nämä

The pronouns tämä 'this' and nämä 'these' are used to point out objects, people,

or actions that are close to or within the reach of the speaker.

Tämä on hauskaa! This is funny!

(The speaker is participating in an action that he or she likes.)

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uusi. (The speaker is holding the book in his or her hand or it is close to him or her.)

Tämä and nämä are declined according to the word they determine.

tässä suuressa kirjassa in this big book

näissä suurissa kirjoissa in these big books

ennen tätä kaunista päivää before this nice day

näiden kauniiden päivien jälkeen after these nice days

2.2 Tuo and nuo

The pronouns tuo 'that' and nuo 'those' are used to point out objects, people, or

actions that are far or not within the reach of the speaker, but they can be

detected by the speaker.

Tuo on hauskaa! That is funny!

(The speaker is watching an action that he or she likes.)

Tuo kirja on uusi. That book is new.

(The speaker is seeing the book on the table, but he or she cannot reach it.)

Tuo and nuo are declined according to the word they determine.

tuohon vanhaan taloon into that old house

noista uusista autoista out of those new cars

tuon synkän metsän keskellä in the middle of that dark forest

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2.3 Se and ne

The pronouns se 'it, the, such' and ne 'they, the, such' are used to point out

objects, people, or actions that are unpresent or within the reach of the listener

only.

Se on hauskaa! It is funny!

(The speaker has heard of an action that he or she likes.)

Se kirja on uusi. The/That book is new.

(The speaker is seeing the listener hold the book in his or her hand or the book is not present in the room where the speaker is.)

Se and ne are declined according to the word they determine.

sille vanhalle pöydälle onto the/that old table

niiden pienten lasten of the/those little children

siihen viimeiseen päivään asti until the/that last day

kesken niiden pitkien puheluiden in the middle of the/those long telephone calls

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1 Inflection

The reflexive pronouns consist of the word itse and a possessive suffix. They are

shown in the following table.

Person Singular Plural 1st itse + ni itse + mme 2dn itse + si itse + nne 3rd itse + nsä itse + nsä

The reflexive pronouns are declined in all cases except for the abessive,

comitative, and instructive.

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muu other

jompikumpi either one

kaikki all kumpikin both kumpikaan neither kumpainenkaan neither kukin each kukaan anybody mikin each mikään anything eräs one joku somebody jokin something moni many

mones [no translation]

molemmat both usea many jokainen everybody toinen other muutama some sama same yksi one

Interrogative Pronouns

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1 Inflection

There are four interrogative pronouns in Finnish. They are shown in the following

table.

kuka who

kumpainen which, which one kumpi which, which one

mikä what

The interrogative pronouns are declined in all cases. Some adverbial cases are

also possible.

Reciprocal Pronouns

toinen toisemme each other (we)

toinen toisenne each other (you)

toinen toisensa each other (they)

Relative Pronouns

joka which

mikä what

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1 Cardinal Numbers

The cardinal numbers are the following:

In Numbers In Letters 0 nolla 1 yksi 2 kaksi 3 kolme 4 neljä 5 viisi 6 kuusi 7 seitsemän 8 kahdeksan 9 yhdeksän 10 kymmenen 11 yksitoista 12 kaksitoista 13 kolmetoista 14 neljätoista

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15 viisitoista 16 kuusitoista 17 seitsemäntoista 18 kahdeksantoista 19 yhdeksäntoista 20 kaksikymmentä 21 kaksikymmentäyksi 22 kaksikymmentäkaksi 23 kaksikymmentäkolme 24 kaksikymmentäneljä 25 kaksikymmentäviisi 26 kaksikymmentäkuusi 27 kaksikymmentäseitsemän 28 kaksikymmentäkahdeksan 29 kaksikymmentäyhdeksän 30 kolmekymmentä

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40 neljäkymmentä 50 viisikymmentä 60 kuusikymmentä 70 seitsemänkymmentä 80 kahdeksankymmentä 90 yhdeksänkymmentä 100 sata 101 satayksi 1000 tuhat 1001 tuhatyksi

The cardinal numbers are declined in cases. Every part is declined in numbers that

consist of several parts except for the -toista element, which is the partitive case

of the word toinen 'the second' and occurs in the numbers from 11 to 19.

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The ordinal numbers are formed by adding -s to the genitive stem of cardinal

numbers. There are exceptions for the numbers 1st, 2nd, and 3rd and they must

be learnt separately. An ordinal number includes a period.

In Numbers In Letters 0. nollas 1. ensimmäinen 2. toinen 3. kolmas 4. neljäs 5. viides 6. kuudes 7. seitsemäs 8. kahdeksas 9. yhdeksäs 10. kymmenes 11. yhdestoista 12. kahdestoista 13. kolmastoista 14. neljästoista

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15. viidestoista 16. kuudestoista 17. seitsemästoista 18. kahdeksastoista 19. yhdeksästoista 20. kahdeskymmenes 21. kahdeskymmenesensimmäinen 22. kahdeskymmenestoinen 23. kahdeskymmeneskolmas 24. kahdeskymmenesneljäs 25. kahdeskymmenesviides 26. kahdeskymmeneskuudes 27. kahdeskymmenesseitsemäs 28. kahdeskymmeneskahdeksas 29. kahdeskymmenesyhdeksäs 30. kolmaskymmenes 40. neljäskymmenes

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50. viideskymmenes 60. kuudeskymmenes 70. seitsemäskymmenes 80. kahdeksaskymmenes 90. yhdeksäskymmenes 100. sadas 101. sadasensimmäinen 1000. tuhannes 1001. tuhannesensimmäinen

The ordinal numbers are declined in cases in the same way as the cardinal

numbers.

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1 Introduction

A mood expresses the manner in which the action or state conveyed by the predicate is conceived by the speaker. There are four moods in the Finnish language: indicative, imperative, conditional, and potentional. They differ from each other by a mood marker which is located before the personal suffix and after the possible passive marker. The following table shows the structure of a finite form of a verb. A finite form consists of at least the stem and a personal suffix.

stem + passive marker + tense or mood marker + personal suffix + clitic particles

2 Indicative

The indicative expresses that the action is real. It has no mood marker, but it conjugates in all the tenses unlike the other moods.

2.1 Present Active

The present active indicative is formed by adding a personal suffix to the present stem.

present stem + personal suffix

Personal suffixes of the present active indicative are shown in the following table. The third person singular has no personal suffix, if the present stem ends in a diphthong; otherwise the personal suffix is a vowel lengthening. The third person plural has two variants for the personal suffix due to the vowel harmony.

1st person -n -mme

2nd person -t -tte

3rd person -, vowel lengthening -vat/-vät

2.2 Present Passive

The present passive indicative is formed by adding the passive marker -ta/-täand the personal suffix -Vn (vowel lengthening + n) to the passive stem.

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passive stem + passive marker + personal suffix

Different combinations of markers and suffixes that are added to the passive stem are shown in the following table.

-ta/-tä + Vn -> -taan/-tään -ta/-tä + Vn -> -daan/-dään -ta/-tä + Vn -> -laan/-lään -ta/-tä + Vn -> -naan/-nään -ta/-tä + Vn -> -raan/-rään

2.3 Past Active

The past active indicative is formed by adding the tense marker and the personal suffix to the present stem. The past tense marker is -i and it merges with the present stem.

present stem + tense marker + personal suffix or past stem + personal suffix

Personal suffixes of the past active indicative are shown in the following table. The third person singular has not personal suffix and the third person plural has two variants for the personal suffix due to the vowel harmony.

1st person -i + n -i + mme

2nd person -i + t -i + tte

3rd person -i -i + vat/vät

2.4 Past Passive

The past passive indicative is formed by adding the passive marker, the tense marker, and the personal suffix to the passive stem.

passive stem + passive marker + tense marker + personal suffix Different combinations of markers and suffixes that are added to the passive stem are shown in the following table.

-ta/-tä + i + Vn -> -tiin -tta/-ttä + i + Vn -> -ttiin

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3 Imperative

The imperative expresses that the action is forced or desired. Its marker is arelic consonant, -ko/-kö, or -kaa/-kää. There is no form for the first person

singular. The imperative conjugates in the present and perfect tense.

3.1 Present Active

The second person singular is formed by adding the mood marker to the present stem. This form has no personal suffix.

present stem + mood marker

The third person singular and all the plural forms are formed by adding the mood marker and the personal suffix to the infinitive stem.

infinitive stem + mood marker + personal suffix

Mood markers and personal suffixes that are used when forming the imperative are shown in the following table.

1st person -kaa + mme

2nd person relic consonant -kaa + (tte)

3rd person -ko + on / -kö + ön -ko + ot / -kö + öt

3.2 Present Passive

The present passive imperative is formed by adding the passive marker -ta/-täor -tta/-ttä, the mood marker -ko/-kö, and the personal suffix -Vn (vowel

lengthening + n) to the passive stem.

passive stem + passive marker + mood marker + personal suffix Different combinations of markers and suffixes that are added to the passive

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stem are shown in the following table. -ta/-tä + ko/kö + Vn -> -takoon/-täköön -tta/-ttä + ko/kö + Vn -> -ttakoon/-ttäköön

4 Conditional

The conditional expresses that the action is conditional. Its marker is -isi and it conjugates in the present and perfect tense.

4.1 Present Active

The present active conditional is formed by adding a personal suffix to the conditional stem.

conditional stem + personal suffix

The mood marker and personal suffixes that are used when forming the conditional are shown in the following table. The third person singular has no personal suffix.

1st person -isi + n -isi + mme 2nd person -isi + t -isi + tte 3rd person -isi -isi + vat/vät

4.2 Present Passive

The present passive conditional is formed by adding the passive marker -ta/-täor -tta/-ttä, the mood marker -isi, and the personal suffix -Vn (vowel lengthening + n) to the passive stem.

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Different combinations of markers and suffixes that are added to the passive stem are shown in the following table.

-ta/-tä + isi + Vn -> -taisiin/-täisiin -tta/-ttä + isi + Vn -> -ttaisiin/-ttäisiin

5 Potential

The potential expresses that the action is possible. Its marker is -ne and it conjugates in the present and perfect tense.

5.1 Present Active

The present active potential is formed by adding the mood marker and a personal suffix to the participle stem.

participle stem + mood marker + personal suffix

The mood marker and personal suffixes that are used when forming the potential are shown in the following table.

1st person -ne + n -ne + mme 2nd person -ne + t -ne + tte 3rd person -ne + e -ne + vat/vät

5.2 Present Passive

The present passive potential is formed by adding the passive marker -ta/-täor -tta/-ttä, the mood marker -ne, and personal suffix -Vn (vowel lengthening + n)

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to the passive stem.

passive stem + passive marker + mood marker + personal suffix Different combinations of markers and suffixes that are added to the passive stem are shown in the following table.

-ta/-tä + ne + Vn -> -taneen/-täneen -tta/-ttä + ne + Vn -> -ttaneen/-ttäneen

Alistuskonjunktiot

Subordinating conjunctions Unterordnende Konjunktionen

että

jotta

koska

kun

jos

vaikka

kuin

kunnes

jahka

ellen

jollen

joskin

kuten

tokko

niin että

ennen kuin

niin kuin

ikään kuin

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jos kohta

Rinnastuskonjunktiot

Coordinating conjunctions Nebenordnende Konjunktionen

ja

ynnä

sekä

sekä - että

-kä

eli

tai

tahi

taikka

joko - tai

vai

mutta

vaan

sillä

paitsi

näet

nimittäin

Adverb stems

ala-

under

ylä-

upper

esi-

front

taka-

behind

lähi-

near

kauko-

far

ulko-

out

sisä-

in

keski-

middle

vieri

side

etä-

far

ohi-

at, over

muka-

with

ympäri-

around

vasta-

against

poiki-

away

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luo-

by

liki-

near

seka-

among

Cases

1 Introduction

A case is an inflection of nouns, adjectives, pronouns, numerals, infinitives,

participles, and adverbs. Many cases are similar in function to English

prepositions. In Finnish, there are 15 cases which can be divided into five groups,

each of which consists of three cases. Basic cases include nominative, genitive,

and accusative, general local cases include partitive, essive, and

translative, interior local cases include inessive, elative, and illative, exterior local

cases include adessive, ablative, and allative, and means cases include abessive,

comitative, and instructive. In addition, there are also a lot of adverbial

cases whose usage is limited to a small number of words. Therefore, these forms

are usually regarded as adverbs.

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Case suffixes cannot usually be added directly to the nominative stem, but a word

stem is affected by several changes, the most important of which are consonant

gradation and vowel change i ~ e. With the aid of inflectional stems, the formation

of cases is much easier, because cases requiring the same inflectional stem can be

learnt simultaneously, and the only varying thing is just the case ending.

3 Formation of Cases

A good knowledge of inflectional stems is a major requirement for forming Finnish

cases.

Nominative Stem

1 Introduction

The nominative stem is the basic form of Finnish nominals, infinitives and participles.

2 Formation

The nominative stem is easy to form - it is the nominative itself.

3 Usage

The nominative stem is used to form the nominative singular, the short form of the accusative singular, and sometimes the genitive plural as well. It is also used to form other inflectional stems.

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nominative stem.

Case Word Translation

Nominative sg jalka the foot Accusative sg (short) jalka the foot Genitive pl jalkain of the feet

Genitive Stem

1 Introduction

The genitive stem is a very important stem of Finnish nominals. Most cases are formed by adding endings directly to it. This applies to the singular form of the genitive, accusative (long form), translative, inessive, elative, adessive,

ablative, allative, abessive, and instructive, and the plural form of the nominative and accusative. A good knowledge of consonant

gradation andvowel change i ~ e is of great use.

2 Formation

The formation of the genitive stem is very complicated. The following rules show, how the genitive stem is formed from the nominative stem. In the examples, the first form is the nominative stem or the nominative singular and

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the second one is the genitive stem with the genitive ending -n.

2.1 Words that end in a vowel

a) Words that do not undergo vowel change i ~ e

This group includes all the words that end in a, o, u, y, ä, and ö. This group also includes a small number words that end in e. Most words that end in eactually end in a relic consonant, and therefore they decline like words ending in a normal consonant (see chapter 2.2 a below). The only group of words that requires memorizing consists of words ending in i, because they can undergo the vowel change i ~ e. This group includes the words that do not undergo the change.

The genitive stem of these words is similar to the nominative stem, except for that the consonant gradation is applied to appropriate words.

Nominative Genitive Translation

koira koira-n dog

nalle nalle-n teddy bear kiivi kiivi-n kiwi fruit

talo talo-n house

koulu koulu-n school

syy syy-n reason

kylä kylä-n village

yö yö-n night

If a word contains a consonant or a consonant cluster, which is affected by the consonant gradation, the genitive stem takes the weak grade.

silta silla-n bridge vihko viho-n notebook

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b) Words that undergo vowel change i ~ e

If a word undergoes the vowel change i ~ e, the genitive stem is formed by replacing the i by e.

kieli kiele-n language

A word may undergo both the vowel change i ~ e and the consonant gradation. In this case, the genitive stem takes the weak grade as well.

koipi koive-n leg särki särje-n roach

Note especially words that end in -si and undergo the vowel change i ~ e. Because of a ancient change si ~ ti, these words still decline as if there were at instead of the s. As t is a phoneme that is affected by the consonant gradation, the genitive stem, in addition, takes the weak grade. The following table shows all the possible inflectional types.

vesi vede-n water

kansi kanne-n lid jälsi jälle-n cambium

virsi virre-n hymn

Exceptions!

The genitive stem of jousi, kusi, and kuusi is formed just by replacing i by e.

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kusi kuse-n piss kuusi kuuse-n spruce Exception!

The word veli requires an additional j in the genitive stem.

veli velje-n brother Note!

The genitive stem of yksi and kaksi is formed by replacing ksi by hde.

yksi yhde-n one

kaksi kahde-n two

c) Comparative forms

The genitive stem of comparative forms is formed by replacing the

comparative ending -mpi by mma. The change from mp to mm is caused by theconsonant gradation.

suurempi suuremma-n bigger isompi isomma-n bigger kauniimpi kauniimma-n nicer d) New loan words

The consonant gradation is not applied to some new loan words.

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varis varikse-n crow hius hiukse-n hair tulos tulokse-n result kynnys kynnykse-n treshold väärennös väärennökse-n forgery Type II

If a word has been derived from a noun or an adjective, and it ends in -us/-ys, in front of which there is a vowel, the genitive stem is formed by replacing the s by de.

osuus osuude-n share, part kauneus kauneude-n beauty rakkaus rakkaude-n love teollisuus teollisuude-n industry hyvyys hyvyyde-n goodness Type III

If a word is a number or a pronoun, which refers to a number, the genitive stem is formed by replacing the s by nne.

kolmas kolmanne-n the third neljäs neljänne-n

the fourth

tuhannes tuhannenne-n the thousandth mones monenne-n

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Type IV

The genitive stem of other words is formed by omitting the s and doubling the last vowel. These words often end in -as (about 8 exceptions), -äs (about 2 exceptions), -es (about 11 exceptions), or -is (about 9 exceptions). Only one word of this type ends in -os. The consonant gradation is applied to

appropriate words, and then the genitive stem takes the strong grade. This type especially includes words that end in -ias (one exception), -kas, -las (two exceptions), -mas, -nas (three exceptions), -oas, -ras, -sas, -tas, -uas, and -vas. See the list of words that belong to this type. Anyway, the list does not include words ending in -ias and -kas.

karvas karvaa-n bitter tehdas tehtaa-n factory varvas varpaa-n toe

kiuas kiukaa-n sauna heater kirves kirvee-n ax

tiivis tiivii-n compact

uros uroo-n male

räystäs räystää-n eaves Exceptions!

The word paras is irregular and it requires an additional h in the genitive stem. The word mies also declines irregularly, because the s changes to he in the genitive stem.

paras parhaa-n the best

mies miehe-n man

c) Words that end in n

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Theconsonant gradation is applied to appropriate words, and then the genitive stem takes the strong grade. Words that end in -en, -nen, and -ton/-tön, and superlative forms ending in -in, decline in a different way and they will be discussed separately below.

avain avaime-n key sydän sydäme-n heart sadin satime-n trap hapan happame-n sour otin ottime-n handle Exceptions!

There are two words, in which the n is replaced by ma/mä. The word hapancan also be declined regularly (see above).

hapan happama-n sour lämmin lämpimä-n warm

If a word ends in -en, the genitive stem is formed by adding e to the nominative stem. The consonant gradation is applied to appropriate words, and then the genitive stem takes the strong grade.

ien ikene-n gum

joutsen joutsene-n swan

jäsen jäsene-n member, part höyhen höyhene-n feather hiven hivene-n small amount tyven tyvene-n calm

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If a word ends in -nen, the genitive stem is formed by replacing the nen byse.

hevonen hevose-n horse ihminen ihmise-n person puinen puise-n wooden

If a word ends in -ton/-tön, the genitive stem is formed by replacing

theton/tön by ttoma/ttömä. Note that the change from t to tt is caused by the consonant gradation.

mahdoton mahdottoma-nimpossible työtön työttömä-n unemployed

If a word is a superlative form and thus ends in -in, the genitive stem is formed by replacing the n by mma/mmä. This group also includes the word vasen'left'.

suurin suurimma-n the biggest kaunein kauneimma-n the nicest märin märimmä-n the wettest köyhin köyhimmä-n the poorest vasen vasemma-n left

The genitive stem of the numbers from 7 to 10 and from 17 to 19 is formed by omitting the n.

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seitsemän seitsemä-n seven kahdeksan kahdeksa-n eight yhdeksän yhdeksä-n nine kymmenen kymmenen-n ten seitsemäntoista seitsemä-n-toista seventeen kahdeksantoistakahdeksa-n-toista eighteen yhdeksäntoista yhdeksä-n-toista nineteen d) Words that end in l

If a word ends in l, the genitive stem is formed by adding e to the nominative stem. The consonant gradation is applied to appropriate words, and then the genitive stem takes the strong grade. This group includes about ten words.

askel askele-n step kannel kantele-n kantele kyynel kyynele-n tear

sävel sävele-n note, melody sammal sammale-n moss

ommel ompele-n stitch taival taipale-n trip nivel nivele-n joint vemmel vempele-n

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e) Words that end in r

If a word ends in r, the genitive stem is formed by adding e to the nominative stem. The consonant gradation is applied to appropriate words, and then the genitive stem takes the strong grade.

Nominative Genitive Translation

tatar tattare-n knotweed (Polygonum) tytär tyttäre-n daughter sisar sisare-n sister f) Words that end in t

If a word ends in -at/-ät, the genitive stem is formed by removing the t and doubling the last vowel. This group includes only one word.

kevät kevää-n spring

If a word is a number, the genitive stem is formed by replacing the t by nne. This group includes only one word.

tuhat tuhanne-n thousand

If a word ends in -ut/-yt, the genitive stem is formed by replacing the t by e, except for participles. This group includes about eleven words.

ohut ohue-n thin

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lyhyt lyhye-n short neitsyt neitsye-n virgin kätkyt kätkye-n

airut airue-n harbinger kevyt kevye-n light

ehyt ehye-n whole

tiehyt tiehye-n duct pehmyt pehmye-n soft

If a word is the active voice of a past participle and thus ends in -ut/-yt, the genitive stem is formed by replacing the ut/yt by ee.

juossut juossee-n run laulanut laulanee-n sung syönyt syönee-n eaten vienyt vienee-n taken Note!

The word ainut has no genitive stem of its own, but instead you use that of the word ainoa 'only'.

ainut ainoa-n only g) Loan words

The genitive stem of new loan words, which end in a consonant, is formed simply by adding a vowel i to the nominative stem. Foreign proper nouns belong to this group as well. This rule also applies to words that end in the consonants l, n, r, s, and t.

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rock rocki-n rock music radar radari-n radar Internet Interneti-n Internet Linux Linuxi-n Linux Windows Windowsi-n Windows New York New Yorki-n New York

3 Usage

The genitive stem is used to form the singular form of the genitive, accusative (long form), translative, inessive, elative, adessive, ablative, allative, abessive, and instructive, and also the plural form of the nominative and accusative. It is also used to form the partitive, essive and plural stem.

The following example shows, how case endings are attached to the genitive stem.

Nominative sg jalka the foot Accusative sg (long) jalan the foot Genitive sg jalan of the foot

Translative sg jalaksi becoming the foot Inessive sg jalassa in the foot

Elative sg jalasta out of the foot Adessive sg jalalla on the foot Ablative sg jalalta from the foot Allative sg jalalle onto the foot Abessive sg jalatta without the foot

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Instructive sg jalan by foot Nominative pl jalat the feet Accusative pl jalat the feet

Fourth Inflection Type of Words Ending in -s

This list includes all the words that end in -s and decline according to the fourth inflection type. Words ending in -ias and -kas are not included, because there are a lot of such words and all of them decline similarly. (Words that end in -äs will be added later.)

Nominative Genitive Partitive English

ahdas ahtaan ahdasta narrow, tight

allas altaan allasta basin

ahnas ahnaan ahnasta greedy

altis alttiin altista exposed

armas armaan armasta dear

aulis auliin aulista helpful

autuas autuaan autuasta blessed

hammas hampaan hammasta tooth

harras hartaan harrasta devout

hauras hauraan haurasta fragile

hidas hitaan hidasta slow

hirvas hirvaan hirvasta

ies ikeen iestä yoke

kangas kankaan kangasta some

kallis kalliin kallista expensive

kalvas kalvaan kalvasta pale

karsas karsaan karsasta unwilling

karvas karvaan karvasta bitter

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kaunis kauniin kaunista beautiful

kauris kauriin kaurista mountain goat

keidas keitaan keidasta oasis

kernas kernaan kernasta eager

kinnas kintaan kinnasta mitten

kiivas kiivaan kiivasta intense

kirves kirveen kirvestä ax

kitsas kitsaan kitsasta stingy

kiuas kiukaan kiuasta sauna heater

koiras koiraan koirasta male

kokelas kokelaan kokelasta candidate

kuhilas kuhilaan kuhilasta shock, stook kuningas kuninkaan kuningasta king

kunnas kunnaan kunnasta

kuulas kuulaan kuulasta clear

lammas lampaan lammasta sheep

lipas lippaan lipasta box

lounas lounaan lounasta lunch; southwest

lunnas lunnaan lunnasta ransom

mallas maltaan mallasta malt

marras martaan marrasta dead

mies miehen miestä man

naaras naaraan naarasta female

nauris nauriin naurista turnip

opas oppaan opasta guide

oas okaan oasta

oinas oinaan oinasta wether

olas olaan olasta

oppilas oppilaan oppilasta pupil

oras oraan orasta new crop

parras partaan parrasta edge

paljas paljaan paljasta bare

paras parhaan parasta the best

patsas patsaan patsasta statue

pensas pensaan pensasta bush

piiras piiraan piirasta

porras portaan porrasta step

porsas porsaan porsasta pig

potilas potilaan potilasta patient

pudas putaan pudasta

puhdas puhtaan puhdasta clean

ratas rattaan ratasta cogwheel

raavas raavaan raavasta big

rahvas rahvaan rahvasta people

raitis raittiin raitista fresh

raihnas raihnaan raihnasta decrepit

rastas rastaan rastasta

ratsas ratsaan ratsasta

rengas renkaan rengasta ring, tire

reipas reippaan reipasta snappy

rietas riettaan rietasta indecent

ruhtinas ruhtinaan ruhtinasta prince

ruis rukiin ruista rye

runsas runsaan runsasta rich

ruumis ruumiin ruumista body

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saalis saaliin saalista prey

sairas sairaan sairasta sick

sees sekeen seestä clear

sotilas sotilaan sotilasta soldier

tahdas tahtaan tahdasta paste

taivas taivaan taivasta sky

tehdas tehtaan tehdasta factory

teuras teuraan teurasta slaughtered (animal)

tiivis tiiviin tiivistä tight

toipilas toipilaan toipilasta convalescent

tupas tuppaan tupasta

tuores tuoreen tuoresta fresh

turilas turilaan turilasta

tursas tursaan tursasta

tyyris tyyriin tyyristä expensive

uros uroon urosta male

uuras uuraan uurasta busy

valpas valppaan valpasta attentive

varas varkaan varasta thief

varras vartaan varrasta spit

varvas varpaan varvasta toe

valas valaan valasta whale

valmis valmiin valmista ready

vauras vauraan vaurasta rich

vehmas vehmaan vehmasta lush

vilpas vilppaan vilpasta

vieras vieraan vierasta guest

viisas viisaan viisasta wise

vitsas vitsaan vitsasta twig

vuolas vuolaan vuolasta fast-flowing

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Partitive Stem

1 Introduction

The partitive stem is an important stem of nominals, infinitives and participles along with the genitive stem. The main difference between these stems lies inconsonant gradation. The partitive stem takes the strong grade, when the genitive stem takes the weak one, and vice versa. The partitive stem is used to form the partitive singular and the genitive plural. Anyway, the genitive plural cannot be formed from the partitive stem of any word, but there are certain restrictions. The partitive stem is also used to form the essive stem. A good knowledge of the consonant gradation and also vowel change i ~ e is of great use.

2 Formation

The formation of the partitive stem is very complicated. The following rules show, how the partitive stem is formed from the nominative and sometimes also the genitive stem. In the examples, the partitive ending -a/-ä/-ta/-tä has been separated from the partitive stem by a hyphen.

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2.1 Words that end in a vowel

If a word ends in a vowel and it does not undergo the vowel change i ~ e, the partitive stem is similar to the nominative stem. This rule also applies to words which are affected by

the consonant gradation.

Nominative Partitive Translation

koira koira-a dog

nalle nalle-a teddy bear kiivi kiivi-ä kiwi fruit

talo talo-a house

koulu koulu-a school

syy syy-tä reason

kylä kylä-ä village

yö yö-tä night

silta silta-a bridge vihko vihko-a notebook b) Words that undergo vowel change i ~ e

If a word undergoes the vowel change i ~ e, there are two ways of forming the partitive stem. If a word ends in -hi, -li, -ni, or -ri, in front of which there is a vowel, the partitive stem is formed by removing the i.

jouhi jouh-ta horsehair kieli kiel-tä language pieni pien-tä small

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saari saar-ta island

There are three exceptions to the rule. Note that the word veli also requires an additional j.

Louhi Louhe-a Louhi sini sine-ä the blue veli velje-ä brother

Note also that the following words require a back-vowel partitive ending that is against vowel harmony rules.

meri mer-ta sea

veri ver-ta blood

If a word ends in -si, in front of which there is a vowel, or in -lsi, -nsi, or -rsi, the partitive stem is formed by replacing the si by t.

vesi vet-tä water

kuusi kuut-ta six kansi kant-ta lid jälsi jält-tä

virsi virt-tä hymn

Exceptions!

The partitive stem of jousi, kusi, and kuusi is formed by omitting the i.

(53)

kusi kus-ta piss kuusi kuus-ta spruce

If a word ends in -ksi, the partitive stem is formed either by replacing it by hor s, or by omitting the i. This group includes only four words.

yksi yh-tä one

kaksi kah-ta two

uksi us-ta door

suksi sukse-a or sus-ta (old form)

ski

If a word ends in -psi or -tsi, the partitive stem is formed by replacing it by s. This group includes only four words.

hapsi has-ta hair

lapsi las-ta child

peitsi peis-tä lance veitsi veis-tä

(veitse-ä) knife

If a word ends in -mi, in front of which there is a vowel, the partitive stem is formed either by replacing the i by e, or the mi by n.

lumi lun-ta snow

nimi nime-ä name

If a word does not belong to any of the groups mentioned above, the partitive stem is formed by replacing i by e.

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tammi tamme-a oak

saarni saarne-a ash tähti tähte-ä star kurki kurke-a crane c) Comparative forms

The partitive stem of comparative forms is formed by replacing the comparative ending -mpi by mpa.

suurempi suurempa-a bigger isompi isompa-a bigger kauniimpi kauniimpa-a nicer

2.2 Words that end in a consonant

There are only five consonants, l, n, r, s, and t, which a Finnish word can end in. Loan words can end in any consonant.

a) Words that end in a relic consonant

If a word ends in a relic consonant, the partitive stem is formed by adding t to the nominative stem. Actually, this t is the relic consonant which becomes visible now.

vene venet-tä boat

koe koet-ta test

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b) Words that end in s

If a word ends in s, the partitive stem is formed with the aid of the genitive stem.

If the genitive stem ends in -kse, -he, or a long vowel, the partitive stem is similar to the nominative stem.

Nominative Genitive Partitive Translation

varis varikse-n varis-ta crow hius hiukse-n hius-ta hair tulos tulokse-n tulos-ta result kynnys kynnykse-n kynnys-tä treshold väärennös väärennökse-n väärennös-tä forgery karvas karvaa-n karvas-ta bitter tehdas tehtaa-n tehdas-ta factory varvas varpaa-n varvas-ta toe

kiuas kiukaa-n kiuas-ta sauna heater kirves kirvee-n kirves-tä ax

tiivis tiivii-n tiivis-tä compact

uros uroo-n uros-ta male

räystäs räystää-n räystäs-tä eaves paras parhaa-n paras-ta the best

mies miehe-n mies-tä man

If the genitive stem ends in -de or -nne, the partitive stem is formed from the nominative stem by replacing the s by t.

Nominative Genitive Partitive Translation

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kauneus kauneude-n kauneut-ta beauty rakkaus rakkaude-n rakkaut-ta love teollisuus teollisuude-n teollisuut-ta industry hyvyys hyvyyde-n hyvyyt-tä goodness kolmas kolmanne-n kolmat-ta the third neljäs neljänne-n neljät-tä the fourth tuhannes tuhannenne-n tuhannet-ta the thousandth mones monenne-n monet-ta

c) Words that end in n

If a word ends in -nen, the partitive stem is formed by replacing the nen by s.

hevonen hevos-ta horse ihminen ihmis-tä person puinen puis-ta wooden

There are two ways of forming the partitive stem of superlative forms. This group also includes the word vasen 'left'. The easiest way of forming the partitive stem is to use the stem similar to the nominative stem.

suurin suurin-ta the biggest isoin isoin-ta the biggest vasen vasen-ta left

The partitive stem can also be formed by replacing the superlative ending -nby mpa.

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suurin suurimpa-a the biggest isoin isoimpa-a the biggest vasen vasempa-a left

The partitive stem of other words, which end in -n, is similar to the nominative stem.

avain avain-ta key sydän sydän-tä heart sadin sadin-ta trap hapan hapan-ta sour otin otin-ta handle lämmin lämmin-tä warm

ien ien-tä gum

joutsen joutsen-ta swan mahdoton mahdoton-ta impossible työtön työtön-tä unemployed

The partitive stem of the numbers 7 - 10 and 17 - 19 is formed by omitting then.

seitsemän seitsemä-ä seven kahdeksan kahdeksa-a eight yhdeksän yhdeksä-ä nine kymmenen kymmenen-tä ten seitsemäntoista

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kahdeksantoistakahdeksa-a-toista eighteen yhdeksäntoista

yhdeksä-ä-toista nineteen d) Words that end in l

If a word ends in l, the partitive stem is similar to the nominative stem. This group includes about ten words.

Nominative Partitive Translation

askel askel-ta step kannel kannel-ta kantele kyynel kyynel-tä tear

sävel sävel-tä note, melody sammal sammal-ta moss

ommel ommel-ta stitch taival taival-ta trip nivel nivel-tä joint vemmel vemmel-tä

petkel petkel-tä sprudder, stamper e) Words that end in r

If a word ends in r, the partitive stem is similar to the nominative stem.

Nominative Partitive Translation

tatar tatar-ta knotweed (Polygonum) tytär tytär-tä daughter

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sisar sisar-ta sister f) Words that end in t

If a word ends in t, the partitive stem is similar to the nominative stem. This group also includes past participle active tenses.

kevät kevät-tä spring tuhat tuhat-ta thousand

ohut ohut-ta thin

olut olut-ta beer

lyhyt lyhyt-tä short neitsyt neitsyt-tä virgin kätkyt kätkyt-tä cradle airut airut-ta harbinger kevyt kevyt-tä light

ehyt ehyt-tä whole

tiehyt tiehyt-tä duct pehmyt pehmyt-tä soft ainut ainut-ta only juossut juossut-ta run laulanut laulanut-ta sung syönyt syönyt-tä eaten vienyt vienyt-tä taken

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g) Loan words

The partitive stem of new loan words, which end in a consonant, is formed simply by adding a vowel i to the nominative stem. Foreign proper nouns belong to this group as well. This rule also applies to words that end in the consonants l, n, r, s, and t.

rock rocki-a rock music radar radari-a radar Internet Interneti-ä Internet Linux Linuxi-a Linux Windows Windowsi-a Windows New York New Yorki-a New York

3 Usage

The partitive stem is used to form the partitive singular and sometimes the genitive plural as well.

The partitive ending -a/-ä is added to a stem which ends in a single vowel, and the ending -ta/-tä to a stem which ends in a long vowel, a diphthong, or a consonant.

The genitive plural ending -ten can be added only to a word whose partitive stem ends in a consonant, excluding some exceptions. (For further information, see the page on forming the genitive plural.)

The following example shows, how case endings are attached to the partitive stem.

Nominative sg kieli language Partitive sg kieltä language Genitive pl kielten of the

languages

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Partitive sg jalkaa foot

Essive Stem

1 Introduction

The essive stem is a kind of a combination of the genitive and partitive stem. It always ends in a vowel and takes the strong grade. A good knowledge

ofconsonant gradation and vowel change i ~ e is of great use.

2 Formation

The essive stem is formed with the aid of the genitive and partitive stem. In the inflection examples below, the genitive, partitive, and essive endings have been separated from the stems by a hyphen.

2.1 Word ends in a vowel

If a word ends in a vowel and it does not undergo the vowel change i ~ e, the essive stem is similar to the partitive and nominative stem. Thus, the stem always takes the strong grade.

Nominative Partitive Essive Translation

koira koira-a koira-na dog

nalle nalle-a nalle-na teddy bear kiivi kiivi-ä kiivi-nä kiwi fruit

talo talo-a talo-na house

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syy syy-tä syy-nä reason kylä kylä-ä kylä-nä village

yö yö-tä yö-nä night

silta silta-a silta-na bridge vihko vihko-a vihko-na notebook b) Words that undergo vowel change i ~ e

If the partitive stem ends in a vowel, the essive stem is similar to the partitive stem.

tammi tamme-a tamme-na oak saarni saarne-a saarne-na ash tähti tähte-ä tähte-nä star kurki kurke-a kurke-na crane

If the partitive stem ends in a consonant, the essive stem is formed by addinge to the partitive stem.

jouhi jouh-ta jouhe-na horsehair kieli kiel-tä kiele-nä language pieni pien-tä piene-nä small saari saar-ta saare-na island

meri mer-ta mere-nä sea

veri ver-ta vere-nä blood

(63)

kuusi kuut-ta kuute-na six kansi kant-ta kante-na lid jälsi jält-tä jälte-nä cambium virsi virt-tä virte-nä hymn

If a word ends in -mi, in front of which there is a vowel, the essive stem is similar to the genitive stem.

Nominative Genitive Essive Translation

lumi lume-n lume-na snow

nimi nime-n nime-nä name

suomi suome-n suome-na Finnish

If a word ends in -ksi, the essive stem is similar to the genitive stem, except for that the stem takes the strong grade. This group includes only four words.

yksi yhde-n yhte-nä one

kaksi kahde-n kahte-na two

uksi ukse-n ukse-na door

suksi sukse-n sukse-na ski

If a word ends in -psi or -tsi, the essive stem is similar to the genitive stem. This group includes only four words.

hapsi hapse-n hapse-na hair lapsi lapse-n lapse-na child peitsi peitse-n peitse-nä lance veitsi veitse-n veitse-nä knife

(64)

2.2 Word ends in a consonant

If a word ends in a consonant or a relic consonant, the essive stem is similar to the genitive stem, excluding some exceptions discussed later. Thus, the stem always takes the strong grade.

vene venee-n venee-nä boat karvas karvaa-n karvaa-na bitter avain avaime-n avaime-na key askel askele-n askele-na step tytär tyttäre-n tyttäre-nä daughter

ohut ohue-n ohue-na thin

juossut juossee-n juossee-na run laulanut laulanee-n laulanee-na sung syönyt syönee-n syönee-nä eaten vienyt vienee-n vienee-nä taken

The essive stem of comparative forms is formed by replacing the mma of the genitive stem by mpa. Thus, the essive stem similar to the longer partitive stem. This group also includes the word vasen 'left'.

suurin suurimma-n suurimpa-na the biggest isoin isoimma-n isoimpa-na the biggest vasen vasemma-n vasempa-na left

(65)

If the nominative stem ends in -s and the genitive stem ends in -de, the essive stem is formed from the nominative stem by replacing the s by te.

osuus osuude-n osuute-na share, part kauneus kauneude-n kauneute-na beauty rakkaus rakkaude-n rakkaute-na love teollisuus teollisuude-n teollisuute-na industry hyvyys hyvyyde-n hyvyyte-nä goodness

If the nominative stem ends in -s or -t and the genitive stem ends in -nne, the essive stem is formed from the nominative stem by replacing the s or t bynte.

kolmas kolmanne-n kolmante-na the third neljäs neljänne-n neljänte-nä the fourth tuhannes tuhannenne-n tuhannente-na the thousandth mones monenne-n monente-na

tuhat tuhanne-n tuhante-na thousand

3 Usage

The essive stem is used to form the essive sg and illative sg. It is also used to form the nominative sg, genitive sg, accusative sg, nominative pl, and accusative pl with a possessive suffix.

The following example shows, how case endings are attached to the essive stem.