Verb types
There are 6 primary verb types found in Finnish. Their conjugation patterns are logical and systematic but some exceptions exist. Identifying verb types can be quite difficult at first. The playlist Suomen kielen verbityypit(Opens in new window) by Sinä osaat! Suomen kieltä kaikille outlines each type succinctly.
Verb type 1
Type 1 verbs are the most common and are subject to consonant gradation. They are classified by the following ending patterns: -aa, -ea, -eä, -ia, -iä, -oa, -ua, -yä, -ää, -öä.
Some examples of type 1 verbs include:
Verb type 2
Type 2 verbs are often considered the easiest verbs as they do not undergo consonant gradation. They are classified by the following ending patterns: da/dä.
Some examples of type 2 verbs include:
Verb type 3
Type 3 verbs have four ending patterns and are subject to consonant gradation. They are classified by the following ending patterns: -lla/-llä, -sta/-stä, -nna/-nnä, -ra/-rä.
Some examples of type 3 verbs include:
Verb type 4
Type 4 verbs end in a -vtv pattern and are sometimes subject to consonant gradation. They are classified by the following ending patterns: -ata/-ätä, -ota/-ötä, -uta/-ytä.
Some examples of type 4 verbs include:
Verb type 5
Type 5 verbs are among least common types and are not subject to consonant gradation. They are classified by the following ending patterns: -ita/-itä.
Some examples of type 5 verbs include:
Verb type 6
Type 6 verbs are the least common type and are subject to consonant gradation. They are classified by the following ending patterns: -eta/-etä.
Some examples of type 6 verbs include:
- Kuumeta, to heat up
- Laajeta, to become wider
- Nuoreta, to come loose
- Tarjeta, to stand the cold
- Valjeta, to brighten
Verb type crossovers
Occasionally some verbs from types 4, 5 and 6, may crossover and conjugate as if they were different types.