Order of attributes

Attributes that relate to a noun precede it, e.g. punainen auto (a/the red car). However, in poetry, the opposite order is rather common. Other exceptions include epithets of monarchs, e.g. Kaarle Suuri (Charlemagne), Iivana Julma (Ivan the Terrible).

The mutual order of attributes is normally as shown in the following table.

Thus, the order mostly corresponds to the one used in English, except that English normally uses a trailing “of” expression rather than a genitive attribute. Thus, nämä Paavon kolme kaunista sisarta would be translated as “these three beautiful sisters of Paavo”.