A1 Finnish GrammarNouns & Cases
Learn Finnish noun basics including the nominative, partitive, and genitive cases. Finnish has no articles but uses suffixes.
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