Elative
The Elative (elatiivi) case is part of the internal locative cases. It typically corresponds to the “from” preposition in English, and usually refers to a change or observation of “something going from inside to outside”. This is not always exact and depends on the context. In Finnish it is indicated by the -sta/-stä suffix.
Concept
Including, but not limited to:
- When something comes from somewhere.
- When giving an opinion.
- When using certain verbs.
Usage
Typically when something physically comes, moves or changes its position from somewhere.
| Word | Translation | Example | Example translated |
|---|---|---|---|
Talo | House | Talosta, taloista | From the house(s) |
Kaappi | Cupboard | Kaapista, kaapeista | From the cupboard(s) |
Laatikko | Box | Laatikosta, laatikoista | From the box(es) |
Tasku | Pocket | Taskusta, taskuista | From the pocket(s) |
Auto | Car | Autosta, autoista | From the car(s) |
Opinions are typically provided from someone, so they utilise the Elative locative case.
| Word | Translation |
|---|---|
Minä tykkään kahvista | I like coffee |
Sinusta kirja oli loistava | (In your opinion) the book was great |
Hänestä Suomi on kaunis maa | (In his opinion) Finland is a beautiful country |
Formation
Words that end in a single vowel of -a/-ä, -o/-ö or -u/-y simply add the -sta/-stä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
Talo | Talosta |
Sänky | Sängystä |
Kaappi | Kaapista |
Words that end in -e acquire a second -e before adding the -sta/-stä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
Huone | Huoneesta |
Vene | Veneestä |
Lentokone | Lentokoneesta |
Words that end in -nen change to -se before adding the -sta/-stä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
Sininen | Sinisestä |
Suomalainen | Suomalaisesta |
Toinen | Toisesta |
New Finnish words typically look or sound like words in other languages. They perhaps most commonly seem to resemble English words. These words simply add the -sta/-stä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
Pankki | Pankista |
Bussi | Bussista |
Kahvi | Kahvista |
Old Finnish words that end in -i change to -e before adding the -sta/-stä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
Järvi | Järvestä |
Lahti | Lahdesta |
Suomi | Suomesta |
Old Finnish words that end in -si change to -de before adding the -sta/-stä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
Uusi | Uudesta |
Kuukausi | Kuukaudesta |
Vuosi | Vuodesta |