Classes of pronouns

The concept of pronoun is difficult to define. The name suggests that they are words used instead of nouns, but not all pronouns can be described that way. Generally, pronouns are used in sentences the same way as nouns (names in the broad sense), but a pronoun does not name anything and its meaning usually depends on context,

In Finnish, pronouns have inflection that is similar to that of other noun-like words (nouns, adjectives, numerals) but has many irregulaties and specialties. Finnish pronouns can be classified as follows:

• Personal pronouns such as minä (I)
• Demonstrative pronouns tämä, tuo, se (this, that, it)
• Dual pronouns that refer to one or both of exactly two, such as kumpi (which one of the two)
• Interrogative pronouns such as kuka (who)
• Quantifying pronouns such as kaikki (all)
• Relative pronouns such as joka (which, that)
• Reflexive and reciprocal pronouns such as itse (self)
• The pronoun oma (own)