Inessive
The Inessive (inessiivi) case is part of the internal locative cases. It typically corresponds to the “in” preposition in English, and usually refers to “something being inside of something else”. In Finnish it is indicated by the -ssa/-ssä suffix.
Concept
Including, but not limited to:
- When something is inside of something else.
- When an object has or contains something.
- When phrasing or expressing time.
Usage
If something is inside of something else simply add the -ssa/-ssä suffix.
| Word | Translation | Example | Example translated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Word Talo | Translation House |
Example
Talossa, taloissa | Example translated In the house(s) |
| Word Kaappi | Translation Cupboard |
Example
Kaapissa, kaapeissa | Example translated In the cupboard(s) |
| Word Laatikko | Translation Box |
Example
Laatikossa, laatikoissa | Example translated In the box(es) |
| Word Tasku | Translation Pocket |
Example
Taskussa, taskuissa | Example translated In the pocket(s) |
| Word Auto | Translation Car |
Example
Autossa, autoissa | Example translated In the car(s) |
Used when something has or contains a different object inside of it.
| Word | Translation |
|---|---|
| Word Huoneessa on sohva | Translation In the room there is a sofa |
| Word Puussa on lintu | Translation In the tree there is a bird |
| Word Laatikossa on kuvia | Translation In the box there are some pictures |
| Word Kirjahyllyssä on kirjoja | Translation In the bookshelf there are some books |
| Word Metsässä on puita | Translation In the forest there are some trees |
To identify in a describable amount of time how long until something happens.
| Word | Translation |
|---|---|
| Word Viidessä minuutissa | Translation In 5 minutes |
| Word Kaksi kertaa viikossa | Translation Twice per week |
| Word Kerran kuussa | Translation Once per month |
| Word Elokussa | Translation In August |
| Word Kahdessa vuodessa | Translation In 2 years |
Formation
Words that end in a single vowel of -a/-ä, -o/-ö or -u/-y simply add the -ssa/-ssä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Word Talo | Conjugation Talossa |
| Word Sänky | Conjugation Sängyssä |
| Word Kaappi | Conjugation Kaapissa |
Words that end in -e acquire a second -e before adding the -ssa/-ssä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Word Huone | Conjugation Huoneessa |
| Word Vene | Conjugation Veneessä |
| Word Lentokone | Conjugation Lentokoneessa |
Words that end in -nen change to -se before adding the -ssa/-ssä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Word Suomalainen | Conjugation Suomalaisessa |
| Word Iloinen | Conjugation Iloisessa |
| Word Tuulinen | Conjugation Tuulisessa |
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 -ssa/-ssä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Word Pankki | Conjugation Pankissa |
| Word Bussi | Conjugation Bussissa |
| Word Kahvi | Conjugation Kahvissa |
Old Finnish words that end in -i change to -e before adding the -ssa/-ssä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Word Suomi | Conjugation Suomessa |
| Word Järvi | Conjugation Järvessä |
| Word Kivi | Conjugation Kivessä |
Old Finnish words that end in -si change to -de before adding the -ssa/-ssä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| Word Uusi | Conjugation Uudessa |
| Word Kuukausi | Conjugation Kuukaudessa |
| Word Vuosi | Conjugation Vuodessa |