Language/Finnish/Grammar/Postpositions

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Finnish → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Postpositions

Welcome to another exciting lesson in our "Complete 0 to A1 Finnish Course"! Today, we will be diving into the world of Finnish postpositions. You might be wondering, what are postpositions and why should I care? Well, let me tell you, understanding postpositions is crucial for forming coherent sentences in Finnish!

In Finnish, prepositions (which we have already discussed) come before a noun, while postpositions come after. This might sound a bit strange if you're coming from an English background, but it's part of what makes Finnish unique and fascinating. By the end of this lesson, you'll not only grasp how to use postpositions correctly, but you'll also be able to describe time and place in your sentences. So, let's get started!

What Are Postpositions?

Postpositions are words that attach to the end of a noun (or noun phrase) to indicate various relationships, similar to how prepositions work in English. They can express concepts such as:

Location (where something is)

Direction (where something is going)

Time (when something happens)

In Finnish, postpositions provide additional information about the noun they follow.

Common Finnish Postpositions

Let’s explore some common postpositions used in Finnish. We will discuss both location and time postpositions to give you a well-rounded understanding.

Location Postpositions

Location postpositions are used to describe where something is situated. Here are some of the most common ones:

-lla (on)

-lta (from [on])

-ssa (in)

-sta (from [in])

-lle (to [a place])

-ltä (from [a place])

Let’s take a look at these location postpositions in the context of sentences.

Finnish	Pronunciation	English
pöydällä	pœy-dæ-llæ	on the table
pöydältä	pœy-dæ-ltæ	from the table
laatikossa	laa-ti-kos-sæ	in the box
laatikosta	laa-ti-kos-tæ	from the box
kirjastolle	kir-jæ-stol-le	to the library
kirjastolta	kir-jæ-stol-tæ	from the library

Time Postpositions

Time postpositions help us express when something occurs. Here are some essential time postpositions:

-na (as)

-ksi (into, for)

-ssa (in [time])

-sta (from [time])

-lle (to [time])

Let’s examine these time postpositions in sentences as well.

Finnish	Pronunciation	English
aamuna	aah-mu-næ	in the morning
iltana	il-tæ-næ	in the evening
huomenna	hu-o-men-næ	tomorrow
eilen	ei-len	yesterday
kesällä	kes-æ-llæ	in summer
talvella	tal-ve-llæ	in winter

Using Postpositions in Sentences

Now that you have some examples of Finnish postpositions, let's learn how to use them in sentences.

When using postpositions, remember that they follow the noun or noun phrase they are modifying. Here are some structures to keep in mind:

Noun + Postposition: "pöydällä" (on the table)

Noun + Postposition + Verb: "Kissa on pöydällä." (The cat is on the table.)

Noun + Postposition + Time Phrase: "Aamuna kissa on pöydällä." (In the morning, the cat is on the table.)

Examples of Sentences with Postpositions

To solidify your understanding, here are some additional sentences using various postpositions:

1. Pallo on lattialla. (The ball is on the floor.)

2. Kirja on hyllyllä. (The book is on the shelf.)

3. Vihannekset ovat laatikossa. (The vegetables are in the box.)

4. Lähden kotoa. (I am leaving from home.)

5. Menemme kaupungille. (We are going to the city.)

6. Tulee kesällä. (It comes in summer.)

7. Sataisi huomenna. (It would rain tomorrow.)

8. Olen täällä. (I am here.)

9. Palataan takaisin illalla. (We will return back in the evening.)

10. Tavataan koululla. (Let’s meet at school.)

Practice Exercises

Now it's your turn to practice! Below are ten exercises designed to help you apply what you've learned about Finnish postpositions.

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks

Complete the sentences with the correct postposition.

1. Kissa on _____ (pöytä).

2. Pallo on _____ (lattia).

3. Menen _____ (kaupunki).

4. Kirja on _____ (hylly).

5. Talo on _____ (metsä).

Exercise 2: Translate the Sentences

Translate the following sentences from English to Finnish, using the correct postpositions.

1. The cat is on the chair.

2. We are going to the store.

3. The dog is in the garden.

4. I am leaving from work.

5. It will snow in winter.

Exercise 3: Identify the Postpositions

Read the sentences and identify the postposition used.

1. Kello on seinällä. (The clock is on the wall.)

2. Hän tulee tänään. (He is coming today.)

3. Kirja on pöydältä. (The book is from the table.)

4. Menemme kesällä. (We are going in summer.)

5. Kissa on laatikossa. (The cat is in the box.)

Exercise 4: Create Your Own Sentences

Write five sentences using the postpositions learned today. Make sure to include at least one location postposition and one time postposition.

Solutions and Explanations

Now let's check your answers!

Exercise 1: Fill in the Blanks Solutions

1. Kissa on pöydällä. (The cat is on the table.)

2. Pallo on lattialla. (The ball is on the floor.)

3. Menen kaupunkiin. (I am going to the city.)

4. Kirja on hyllyssä. (The book is on the shelf.)

5. Talo on metsässä. (The house is in the forest.)

Exercise 2: Translation Solutions

1. Kissa on tuolilla. (The cat is on the chair.)

2. Menemme kauppaan. (We are going to the store.)

3. Koira on puutarhassa. (The dog is in the garden.)

4. Lähden työstä. (I am leaving from work.)

5. Tulee lunta talvella. (It will snow in winter.)

Exercise 3: Identify the Postpositions Solutions

1. seinällä

2. tänään

3. pöydältä

4. kesällä

5. laatikossa

Exercise 4: Create Your Own Sentences Solutions

(Your answers will vary, but they should incorporate the postpositions correctly.)

Conclusion

Congratulations on completing this lesson on Finnish postpositions! Understanding how to use postpositions will help you create more complex and meaningful sentences in Finnish. Keep practicing, and don’t hesitate to refer back to this lesson whenever you need a refresher. Next time, we’ll take our language skills on the road and explore travel and transportation vocabulary in Finnish.

Keep up the great work, and remember, every bit of practice brings you closer to fluency!

Table of Contents - Finnish Course - 0 to A1

Course Presentation

Introduction to Finnish

Greetings and Introductions

Nouns and Adjectives

Numbers and Time

Verbs and Tenses

Daily Activities

Questions and Negation

Food and Dining

Prepositions and Postpositions

Travel and Transportation

Finnish Culture and Traditions

Weather and Seasons

Conjunctions and Subordinate Clauses

Family and Relationships

Finnish Literature and Music

Sources

Other Lessons

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