🇫🇮A1 Finnish GrammarNouns & Cases
1No Articles in Finnish
Finnish has no articles (a, an, the). Context determines definiteness.
Articles vs Finnish
| English | Finnish | Note |
|---|---|---|
| a dog | koira | indefinite |
| the dog | koira | definite |
| a house | talo | indefinite |
| the house | talo | definite |
Examples
Koira juoksee.
A/The dog runs.
no article needed
Talo on iso.
The house is big.
context = definite
Minulla on auto.
I have a car.
indefinite from context
Auto on punainen.
The car is red.
previously mentioned = definite
2Nominative Case
Nominative is the basic form (dictionary form). Used for subjects.
Nominative Forms
| Finnish | English |
|---|---|
| talo | house |
| auto | car |
| kirja | book |
| koira | dog |
| poika | boy |
Examples
Talo on kaunis.
The house is beautiful.
talo = subject
Koira nukkuu.
The dog sleeps.
koira = subject
Kirja on pöydällä.
The book is on the table.
kirja = subject
Poika leikkii.
The boy plays.
poika = subject
3Partitive Case (-a/-ä)
Partitive is used for incomplete actions, quantities, and after numbers. Add -a/-ä (or -ta/-tä).
Partitive Forms
| Nominative | Partitive | English |
|---|---|---|
| kahvi | kahvia | coffee (some) |
| vesi | vettä | water (some) |
| kirja | kirjaa | book (part of) |
| talo | taloa | house (part of) |
Examples
Juon kahvia.
I drink coffee.
ongoing action
Haluan vettä.
I want water.
partial quantity
Luen kirjaa.
I am reading a book.
incomplete action
Kolme taloa.
Three houses.
after number > 1
4Genitive Case (-n)
Genitive shows possession and is used for objects of completed actions. Add -n.
Genitive Forms
| Nominative | Genitive | English |
|---|---|---|
| talo | talon | house's |
| auto | auton | car's |
| koira | koiran | dog's |
| äiti | äidin | mother's |
Examples
Talon ovi on auki.
The house's door is open.
talon = of the house
Koiran nimi on Rex.
The dog's name is Rex.
koiran = of the dog
Ostan auton.
I buy a car. (completed)
genitive for completed action
Äidin auto on uusi.
Mother's car is new.
possession
Practice
Get 2 of 3 right to learn this lesson
How do you say 'the dog' in Finnish?
Complete: 'Juon ___.' (I drink coffee - some/ongoing)
Complete: '___ nimi on Rex.' (The dog's name is Rex)
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
