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 |
|---|---|---|---|
Talo | House | Talossa, taloissa | In the house(s) |
Kaappi | Cupboard | Kaapissa, kaapeissa | In the cupboard(s) |
Laatikko | Box | Laatikossa, laatikoissa | In the box(es) |
Tasku | Pocket | Taskussa, taskuissa | In the pocket(s) |
Auto | Car | Autossa, autoissa | In the car(s) |
Used when something has or contains a different object inside of it.
| Word | Translation |
|---|---|
Huoneessa on sohva | In the room there is a sofa |
Puussa on lintu | In the tree there is a bird |
Laatikossa on kuvia | In the box there are some pictures |
Kirjahyllyssä on kirjoja | In the bookshelf there are some books |
Metsässä on puita | In the forest there are some trees |
To identify in a describable amount of time how long until something happens.
| Word | Translation |
|---|---|
Viidessä minuutissa | In 5 minutes |
Kaksi kertaa viikossa | Twice per week |
Kerran kuussa | Once per month |
Elokussa | In August |
Kahdessa vuodessa | 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 |
|---|---|
Talo | Talossa |
Sänky | Sängyssä |
Kaappi | Kaapissa |
Words that end in -e acquire a second -e before adding the -ssa/-ssä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
Huone | Huoneessa |
Vene | Veneessä |
Lentokone | Lentokoneessa |
Words that end in -nen change to -se before adding the -ssa/-ssä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
Suomalainen | Suomalaisessa |
Iloinen | Iloisessa |
Tuulinen | 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 |
|---|---|
Pankki | Pankissa |
Bussi | Bussissa |
Kahvi | Kahvissa |
Old Finnish words that end in -i change to -e before adding the -ssa/-ssä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
Suomi | Suomessa |
Järvi | Järvessä |
Kivi | Kivessä |
Old Finnish words that end in -si change to -de before adding the -ssa/-ssä suffix.
| Word | Conjugation |
|---|---|
Uusi | Uudessa |
Kuukausi | Kuukaudessa |
Vuosi | Vuodessa |