Language/Finnish/Grammar/Adjective-Agreement
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As a Finnish language teacher for over twenty years, I have seen many students struggle with adjective agreement in Finnish. However, with the right knowledge and practice, this grammar concept can become a lot easier. In this lesson, we will cover the basics of how adjectives agree with nouns in Finnish, including case and number agreement.
After mastering this lesson, these related pages might interest you: Adjectives & Sentence Structure.
What is Adjective Agreement?
When using adjectives in Finnish, it is important to pay attention to the gender, case and number of the noun they are describing. Adjectives must agree with the noun in these aspects.
For instance, let's take the word "kaunis," which means "beautiful." In Finnish, depending on the gender, case, and number of the noun it describes, the ending of "kaunis" can change. Let's take a closer look at how this would work in practice:
- If the noun is in the nominative case, the ending will be "-a" for singular feminine nouns, "-i" for masculine or neuter singular nouns, and "-at" for plural nouns. For example:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Kaunis tanssija | 'kɑu-nis tɑns-si-jɑ | Beautiful dancer (singular feminine) |
| Kaunis auto | 'kɑu-nis 'ɑu-to | Beautiful car (singular masculine) |
| Kauniit kukat | 'kɑu-niit 'ku-kɑt | Beautiful flowers (plural) |
- If the noun is in the genitive case or inessive case, the endings will be "-an" and "-assa," respectively, for singular feminine nouns, "-in" and "-ssa," respectively, for singular masculine or neuter nouns, and "-iden" or "-issa," respectively, for plural nouns. For example:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Kauniin tanssijan | 'kɑu-niin 'tans-si-jɑn | Beautiful dancer's (genitive singular feminine) |
| Kauniissa autossa | 'kɑu-niis-sɑ 'ɑu-tos-sɑ | In a beautiful car (inessive singular masculine) |
| Kauniiden kukkien | 'kɑu-nii-den 'kuk-ki-en | Beautiful flowers' (genitive plural) |
Examples
Here are some additional examples to help you understand how adjective agreement works in Finnish:
- Kaunis nainen (Beautiful woman)
- Kaunis mies (Beautiful man)
- Kaunis lapsi (Beautiful child)
- Kauniit linnut (Beautiful birds)
- Kauniissa talossa (In a beautiful house)
Tips for Remembering Adjective Agreement
Adjective agreement can be challenging for beginners to learn, so here are some tips to keep in mind:
- Practice, practice, practice! The more exposure you have to the concept of adjective agreement and the more you practice it, the easier it will become.
- Always pay attention to the gender, case, and number of the noun you are describing. This will help you choose the correct ending for the adjective.
- Form sentences in your head or practice writing them out. It takes time and repetition to master adjective agreement.
Conclusion
In conclusion, adjective agreement is an important aspect of Finnish grammar, and it is essential for learners to understand its basic rules. Remember that adjectives must agree with the noun they describe in gender, case, and number, and with practice, you will become more confident in using this concept correctly. Keep these tips in mind, and you will be on your way to using Finnish adjectives accurately and fluently!
Congratulations on finishing this lesson! Explore these related pages to keep learning: Give your Opinion & Finnish Participles.
Other Lessons
- Sami and Karelian Languages
- Regional Finnish Dialects
- The Finnish Alphabet
- Postpositions
- Definite Articles in Finnish
- Future Tense
- Indefinite Articles in Finnish
- Alphabet and Pronunciation
- Past Tense
Sources
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