-x imperative 2nd person singular • juo|da : juo|x • Also used as negation form, e.g. ei juox.
-A partitive • kala : kalaa.
-A one of the suffixes for 3rd person singular form in indicative • osta|ax : osta|a.
-A- : -t- derived verb • kuva → kuva|t|a : kuva|a|n • Usually expresses action that is typical use for the thing denoted by the base noun or indicates a change to state expressed by the base noun. These derivations are contraction verbs.
-Ax I infinitive • sanoa (: sano|n).
-Ax one of the suffixes for 4th person in a negative context in indicative present tense • osat|ax : osat|ax • Used e.g. in Ei osatax. This variant of the suffix coincides with the suffix of the I infinitive.
-kAA imperative 2nd person plural • sano|a : sano|kaa.
-eeraa- : -eerat- verb of foreign origin • briljeerat|a : briljeeraa|n • Adapted form of a verb ending with “-era” in Swedish, e.g. “briljera”, from French “briller”.
-dAx I infinitive • juoda (: juo|n).
-dAx one of the suffixes for 4th person in a negative context in indicative present tense • voi|dax : voi|dax. This variant coincides with the I infinitive.
-eA derived adjective or noun • kipu → kipeä • Causes omission of final vowel of the base. Often the base is uncertain or does not appear in standard language. In dialects often -ee or -iA (e.g. kipee, kipiä).
-jA derived noun • puhu|a → puhuja • The base is usually a verb stem. Mostly indicates a human agent of the action expressed by the verb (very productive in this meaning), but also used for some devices and in other meanings. There are also some -jA words probably based on a noun, but with no clearly identifiable base word, e.g. pihlaja.
-AjA- : -A- derived verb • jyrä- → jyr|ä|tä : jyrä|jä|ä • Partly descriptive verbs with no apparent base word though e.g. for jyrätä, a theoretical base can be constructed, since the jyrä- stem appears in other verb derivations too, e.g. jyrähtää and jyristä. Many verbs are alternative, usually old-fashioned versions of contraction verbs, e.g. avata : avajaa vs. avata : avaa (to open).
-tsijA noun derived from a verb• isännöi|dä →isännöi|tsijä • Indicates a human agent that carries out an action, often professionally. In principle, these words are -jA derivations from verbs like isännöitä : isännöitsen that have an -itse- suffix, but such verbs are mostly not used in modern language; instead, synonymous verbs like isännöidä : isännöin (with the -Oi- suffix) are in use.
-kA a suffix in the nominative and genitive singular forms of a few pronouns • jo|ka • These are old, special words: joka, kuka, mikä. The suffix is invariant; the part before it is inflected, e.g. joka : jonka.
-kä a word-like suffix appended to the negation verb to mean “and” • ei → eikä.
-kkA : -kA- derived noun • puna → punakka • Meanings vary considerably. There is often a vowel change at the end of the base word, e.g. musta → mustikka, puola → puolukka, Many words ending with -kka are not derivations but loanwords (e.g. tupakka “tobacco”).
-kkA variant form of a conjunction • eli → elikkä • Only for eli, saati, tai. Does not change meaning, but may be more emphatic.
-niekka : -nieka- derived noun or compound • äly → älyniekka • Denotes person. Limited to a few words only. Can be (better) classified as a compound, partly because ie is pronounced as a diphthong.
-nkA : -ngA- derived noun • naama → Naamanka • Place names.
-skA derived noun or adjective • lima → limaska • Base word often not in modern language or changes irregularly. Also a female suffix in surnames in popular language, e.g. Lahtinen → Lahtiska.
-lA derived noun • kana → kanala • Very productive, e.g. kahvi → kahvila, sairas : sairaan → sairaala. Mostly means “place for …”.
-lAx I infinitive • kävellä (: kävele|n)
-lAx one of the suffixes for 4th person in a negative context in indicative present tense • tul|lax : tul|lax. This variant coincides with the I infinitive.
-llA adessive case • talo : talolla.
-AllA derived adverb • kaikki → kaikkialla • A limited set of words. Corresponds to the adessive in meaning.
-mAisillA- V infinitive • tekemäisilläni • Always with a possessive suffix.
-mA derived noun; passive participle past tense • kanta|a → kantama • A noun derived from a verb with -mA usually has a rather specialized meaning, though in some words, the meaning is close to the meaning of a participle, e.g. osu|a (to hit) → osuma (hit), and some derivations are names of actions.
-mA- III infinitive • teh|dä : te|kee : teke|mä|ssä : teke|mä|stä : teke|mä|än : teke|mäl|lä : teke|mät|tä : teke|mä|n.
-lmA derived noun • uni : une|n → unelma.
-nA essive case • talo : talo|na : talo|i|na.
-nA derived noun • haapa → haapana • Many words that may have this derivational suffix have no obvious base word. When the base is a verb (usually a descriptive verb), the derivation is a name of action, e.g. kirku|a → kirku|na. When the verb stem has an ise part, the sounds se are dropped, e.g. hälis|tä : hälise|n → häli|nä.
-nAx I infinitive • pan|na (: pane|n).
-nAx one of the suffixes for 4th person in a negative context in indicative present tense • pan|nax : pan|nax • This variant coincides with the I infinitive.
-nna derived noun or part of a loanword • keisari → keisarinna • A female suffix, of limited use. Mostly part of a loanword (cf. Swedish “kejsarinna”),
-pA a word-like suffix (enclitic particle) • minä → minäpä.
-pA : -vA- derived noun • syö|dä → syö|pä • Historically a variant of the participle suffix -vA. Occurs in some words, which have specialized meanings.
-rA derived noun • kama → kamara • Base word often does not exist as separate word.
-rAx I infinitive • pur|ra (: pure|n).
-rAx one of the suffixes for 4th person in a negative context in indicative present tense • pur|rax : pur|rax. This variant coincides with the I infinitive.
-sA derived adjective or noun • nopea → nop|sa • Only few words. Causes irregular changes in the base word.
-isA derived adjective (or noun) • kala → kalaisa • Productive. Typically means “full of…” or “rich in...”.
-nsAx possessive suffix for the 3rd person • talo : talo|nsa.
-ssA inessive case • talo : talossa.
-tsa derived noun • vaski → vaskitsa • Only in a few words.
-tA partitive case • radio : radio|ta.
-tA- : -ta- / -dA- / -A- / -lA- / -na- / -ra- derived verb • hidas : hidas|ta|a • One of the most common verb derivation suffixes. When based on a noun, often means “to make (more) …”. These derivations are partly irregular, e.g. hidastaa is based on the nominative and not the noun stem hitaa-, and säveltää is based on the consonant stem of sävel : sävele-. The exceptional-looking variation of the suffix in many verbs is caused by consonant gradation, e.g. sävel|tä|ä : sävel|lä|n.
-tAx I infinitive • vara|ta (: varaa|n).
-tAx one of the suffixes for 4th person in a negative context in indicative present tense • sano|ax : sano|tax. This form often coincides with the I infinitive, e.g. juos|tax : juos|tax.
-AhtA- : -AhdA- derived verb • seiso|a → seis|ahta|a : seis|ahda|n • Typically the meaning is momentaneous, i.e. it expresses that an action starts, often to be terminated shortly. Some words of this type are descriptive verbs with no apparent base word. The final vowel of the stem is omitted.
-ltA ablative case • talo : talolta.
-AltA derived adverb • kaikki → kaikkialta • A limited set of words. Corresponds to the ablative in meaning.
-AltA- : -AllA- derived verb • paina|a → pain|alta|a : pain|alla|n • In many derivations the meaning is momentaneous, but the most common verbs of this type have different meanings, e.g. uskaltaa (to dare) from uskoa (to believe).The final vowel of the stem is omitted.
-ntA : -nnA- derived noun • liittä|ä : liitä|n → liitä|ntä • Usually a name of action based on a verb, though some derivations have specialized meanings, e.g. kysyntä (demand) from kysyä (to ask). Among derivations based on nouns, only in the words isäntä and emäntä and in some place names are in use.
-ntA- : -nnA- verb derived from a noun or an adjective • suomi : suome|n → suome|nta|a : suome|nna|n • Often means “to produce…” or “to cause…”. Can be used to derive verbs meaning “to translate into” from language names, e.g. englannintaa, italiantaa etc., though these are not used much, except for suomentaa—more often one says kääntää englanniksi etc.
-läntä derived adjective • lyhyt : lyhyen → lyhyenläntä • Indicates a moderate amount of a property; formed from a limited set of adjectives. The base is usually in the genitive form, and vowel harmony does not apply (e.g. suurenläntä), so these words could also be classified as compounds.
-rtA- : -rrA- derived verb • sini : sine|n → sine|rtä|ä : sine|rrä|n • When the base word is a color or pigment name, means being of that color, at least to some extent. Other verbs that seem to have this suffix mostly lack obvious base word and may be descriptive verbs.
-stA elative case • talo : talosta.
-stA derived noun • keski- → kesku|sta • Mostly mean locations or parts.
-stA- derived verb • kala → kala|sta|a • Often means “to catch/hunt/collect…”. Derivations like ketustaa (to hunt foxes), from kettu : ketun (fox), are old popular language and still in some use, but often not listed in normal dictionaries. Some derivations are based on a verb, e.g. asustaa from asua.
-istA- derived verb • uusi : uude|n → uud|ista|a • Usually means “to make (something) …”, but possibly figuratively, e.g. uudistaa, from uusi (new), means “to reform”.
-ttA- : -tA- derived verb • syö|dä → syö|ttä|ä : syö|tä|n • Very productive. When the base is a verb, the meaning is usually causative. The meaning may also be similar to that of the base verb, often more intensive, sometimes just a synonym, e.g. for koske|a : koske|tta|a → koske|ta|n (to touch). When the base is a noun, meanings vary, e.g. verottaa (to tax) from vero (tax), kouluttaa (to give education to; to train) from koulu (school).
-ttA abessive form • raha → rahatta • Rare, except in III infinitives like luke|ma|tta.
-ttA : -tA- derived noun • nauta → navetta • In standard language, only in the irregular derivation navetta. In dialects also in its synonyms ometta and karjatta.
-ittA- : -itA- derived verb • raha : raho|itta|a → raho|ita|n • Usually means “to cause …” or “to give” or “to equip with”. Generally pronounced without the i; see Spelling problem -oittaa ∼ -ottaa.
-UttA- : -UtA- derived verb • odotta|a : odota|n → odot|utta|a : odot|uta|n • When the base is a verb, the meaning is usually causative; cf. -hdUttA-. When the base is a noun or an adjective, often means “to make (more) …”, e.g. nope|utta|a (to speed up) from nopea (fast).
-ahdUttA- : -hdUtA- derived verb • seiso|a → seis|ahdutta|a : seis|ahduta|n • Can usually be interpreted as being combined derivations with -AhtA- and -UttA- suffixes, so that e.g. seisahduttaa is primarily derived from seisahtaa. But derivations of this type have some behavior of their own, especially so that the hd part can often be omitted, resulting in -UttA- derivations, e.g. seisahduttaa = seisauttaa.
-UUttA- : -UUtA- derived verb • levät|ä : lepää|n → lep|uutta|a : lep|uuta|n • When the base is a verb, the meaning is usually causative.
-vA present participle of a verb • luke|a → luke|va.
-vA derived noun or adjective • maja → majava • A mixed collection of words, mostly with no obvious base word. These derivations include several nouns that are originally participles (and often still in participle use), e.g. etsivä (detective) from etsiä (search).
-tAvA passive participle present tense • juos|ta : juos|tava.
-htAvA derived adjective • harmaa → harmahtava • A few derivations, usually meaning “somewhat …”. Originally a combination of suffixes -htA- and -vA.
-ttAvA passive participle present tense • sano|a : sano|ttava.
-rvA derived adjective • puna → pune|rva • Only four words: kellervä (yellowish), punerva (reddish), sinervä (bluish), vihervä (greenish).
-e one of the suffixes for 3rd person singular form in indicative • tul|la : tule|e.
-e- II infinitive • sano|a : sano|e|n : sano|e|ssa : sano|e|ssa|ni : sano|tta|e|ssa.
-ex : -ee- : -et- : -e- derived noun (or adjective) • nosta|a → noste : nostee|t : nostet|ta : noste|i|ta. • Causes omission of final vowel of the base. Meaning varies greatly. Productive in deriving nouns from verbs; may express e.g. result or cause of action; sometimes a name of action. Also used to derive words from nouns and adjectives, e.g. musta → muste : mustee|t : mustet|ta : muste|i|ta. Many words ending with -ex are loanwords or have obscure origin.
-he old reflexive form of past tense 3rd person singular • vetä|ä : vet|i : vet|i|he • In old poetry.
-kex : -kkee- : -ket- : -kke- • derived noun • kaava → kaava|ke : kaava|kkee|n : kaava|ket|ta : kaava|kke|i|ssa • When the base is a noun, means “small …” concretely or figuratively. When the base is a verb, often means “that is used for…”, e.g. eläke (pension) from elää (to live).
-ikex : -ikkee- : -iket- : -ikke- • extended form of -ke • pitä|ä : pidä|n → pid|ike.
-Ukex : -Ukkee- : -Uket- : -Ukke- • extended form of -ke • lisä → lis|uke.
-lex : -lee- : -let- : -le- • derived noun • kaista → kaistale • Base word often not part of modern standard language. This group includes words like askele, which are synonyms of -l : -le- derivations like askel and often used interchangeably with them.
-le- assimilated form of potential mood suffix -ne • tul|le|n : tule|n : tul|la • Rare.
-ele- : -el- verb derived from a verb • souta|a → soud|el|la : sout|ele|n • Often a frequentative suffix, i.e. produces a verb indicating (frequently) repeated action; e.g., from osta|a (to buy) we get ostel|la : ostele|n (to buy things, to do shopping). Some derivations of this type have special meanings, e.g. rakastaa means “to love”, but rakastella means “to make love”.
-skele- : -skel- derived verb • ime|ä → ime|skel|lä : ime|skele|n • Usually frequentative, cf. -ele-. Note: opi|skel|la (to study) from oppi|a (to learn).
-ntele- : -nnel- derived verb • juos|ta : juokse|n → juokse|nnel|la : juokse|ntele|n • Usually frequentative, cf. -ele-.
-skentele- : -skennel- derived verb • työ → työ|skennel|lä : työ|skentele|n • Usually frequentative, cf. -ele-. But e.g. teeskennellä from teh|dä : tee|n means “to pretend”.
-ile- : -il- derived verb • arvat|a → arva|il|la : arva|ile|n • When the base is a verb, variant of -ele-, used when the base is a contraction verb. When the base is a noun, often indicates action that is typical use of a thing, e.g. teltta|il|la : teltta|ile|n (to camp, to go tenting) from teltta (tent).
-llex allative case • talo : talo|lle.
-Alle derived adverb • kaikki → kaikki|alle • A limited set of words. Corresponds to the allative in meaning.
-mme possessive suffix for the 1st person plural • talo : talo|mme.
-mme 1st person plural form of a verb • sano|a : sano|mme.
-ne- : -t- derived verb • huono → huonot|a : huono|ne|n • Usually expresses change, “to become (more) …”. The inflection is exceptional, since this derivation type is a mix of two distinct types.
-ne- suffix of the comitative case • puoliso : puoliso|i|ne|en.
-ne- suffix of the potential mood • syödä : syö- : syö|ne|n.
-nex : -nee- : -net- : -ne- • derived noun • käsi → käsi|ne • Often deminutive (“small …”) or a name of an accessory or a tool.
-nne possessive suffix for the 2nd person plural • talo : talo|nne.
-nne- : -nte- stem variants of the -s suffix of ordinal numerals (e.g. kolma|s : kolma|nne|n : kolma|nte|na).
-nnex : -ntee- : -net- : -nte- • derived noun • tila → tila|nne : tila|ntee|n : tila|nnet|ta : tila|nte|i|ssa • Often means place or state.
-nnex derived adverb • tuo → tuo|nne • A few words. Means ”in … direction”.
-re- assimilated form of potential mood suffix -ne • pur|re|n : puren : pur|ra • Rare.
-rex : -ree- : -ret- : -re- • derived noun • lampi → lampa|re.
-se- assimilated form of potential mood suffix -ne • juos|se|n : juokse|n : juos|ta • Rare.
-ise- : -is- derived verb • helä- → hel|is|tä : hel|is|tä • Mostly descriptive verbs with no apparent base word, though e.g. for helistä, a theoretical base can be constructed, since the helä- stem appears in other verb derivations too, e.g. helähtää.
-Aise- : -is- derived verb • kysy|ä → kys|äis|tä : kys|äise|n • The meaning is typically momentaneous, indicating started action that is often intentionally short, or causative. E.g. valaista, from valo (light) means both “to light up” and “give light to” (as continuous action).
-kse- variant of the translative case suffix -ksi • talo : talo|kse|ni • Used before a possessive suffix.
-tsex derived adverb (prolative) • maa → ma|i|tse • Means “through/via …”. Usually based on the plural stem, e.g. vesi : vede|n : ves|i|ssä → ves|i|tse.
-itse- : -it- derived verb • naula → naul|it|a : naul|itse|n • The meanings are more or less continuative, i.e. indicate continuous activity. These verbs have the following forms based on the -it- stem (possibly with the t assimilated): potential, imperative other than 2nd person singular, I and II infinitive, and all 4th person forms (e.g. naul|in|ne|n, naul|it|koon, naul|it|a, naul|it|e|n, naul|in|nut, naul|it|aan, naul|it|tu; but indicative present tense naul|itse|n, past tense naul|its|i|n etc.).
-tte 2nd person plural form (and polite 2nd person singular) of a verb • sano|a : sano|tte.
-kAAtte old variant of imperative 2nd person plural • sano|a : sano|kaatte (= sanokaa).
-Uex : -Uee- : -Uet- : -Ue- • derived noun • joukko → joukk|ue • Usually with a collective meaning.
-i derived noun (or adjective) • neito → neit|i • Common, with varying meanings. Some derivations contain this suffix even though the -i derivation does not appear as an independently word, e.g. kalma → kalm|i|sto. The base is often a verb, e.g. kasvaa (to grow) → kasvi (plant). Also used to adapt loanwords to Finnish, e.g. film → filmi.
-i one of the suffixes for 3rd person singular form in indicative • etsi|ä : etsi|i.
-i- derived verb • tahra → tahr|i|a • Very common. Indicates continuous action, but otherwise the meaning varies greatly.
-i- plural suffix in nouns, adjectives, and numerals • talo : taloi|ssa • In most case forms.
-kki : -ki- derived noun • lehto : lehdo|n → lehdo|kki : lehdo|kin • When the base is a noun or an adjective, mostly names of plants or proper names given to domestic animals (e.g. cow name Mustikki, from musta). When the base is a verb, meanings vary a lot.
-nki : -ngi- derived noun • juoma → juomi|nki : juomi|ngi|t.
-li derived noun • ukko → ukke|li • Often with obscure origin. Used somewhat productively to derive affective forms of personal names, e.g. Jusseli (from Jussi), or names like Haisuli (from haisu “smell”; a Moomin character). Many words ending with li are loanwords without any derivational suffix, e.g. enkeli (angel).
-nomi international word corresponding to “-nomist” in English; sometimes a derived noun • ekonomi • Also used to create names of degrees in education from various ingredients, e.g. tradenomi (from English “trade”), restonomi (from foreign word “restaurant”).
-ismi suffix in international words, corresponding to “-ism” in English • nationalismi • Often the base word does not exist in Finnish. Sometimes also used for native words, e.g. höpsis → höps|ismi.
-ni possessive suffix for the 1st person singular • talo : talo|ni.
-liini derived noun • laiha → laihe|liini • A few words, denoting people, partly derogatorily, partly friendly: haisuliini, hassuliini, hupsuliini, hölmöliini, possuliini, tuhmeliini, tyhmeliini. Somewhat productive.
-Oi- derived verb • esitelmä → esitelm|öi|dä: esitelm|öi|n • Productive, but many verbs of this type are adapted forms of international words, e.g. manipuloida (manipulate). Verbs that end with “-ate” in English often appear as ending with -OidA in Finnish.
-pi old suffix for 3rd person singular form in indicative • voi|da : voi|pi (= voi) • In old poetry.
-mpi : -mmA- : -mpA- : -mm- : -mp- comparative suffix • iso → iso|mpi : iso|mma|n : iso|mpa|na : iso|mm|i|ssa : iso|mp|i|na.
-ri derived noun • maalat|a : maalaa|n → maala|ri • Common. This suffix or an extended version like -Ari is often part of loanword (cf. Swedish måla → målare), but it is also used productively in Finnish, especially in slang and other spoken language. Originally used for names of agents or devices, now also in other meanings.
-Ari derived noun, extended version of -ri • hiilihydraatti → hiil|ari (carbon hydrate, colloquial) • Often based on a shortened or otherwise modified version of the stem. Popular in spoken language; used to produce handy alternatives for long official words, e.g. henkilöllisyystodistus → henkkari (I. D. card), toimitusjohtaja → toimari (CEO).
-Uri derived noun, extended version of -ri • rava|ta → rav|uri • Usually for names of agents or devices.
-si possessive suffix for the 2nd person singular • talo : talo|si.
-isi suffix of the conditional mood • sano|a : sano|isi : sano|isi|n.
-ksi translative case • talo : talo|ksi : talo|i|ksi.
-ksi- derived verb • ime|ä → ime|ksi|ä : i|meksi|n • When based on a verb, often frequentative. When base on a noun or an adjective, may mean e.g. “to regard as”, e.g. halpa : halva|n→ halve|ksia (the final vowel of the base verb is often changed to e); cf. -ksU-.
-ti derived adverb • ääni : ääne|n → ääne|ti • A few words only. In some words, very similar to abessive forms like äänettä. In some other words, expresses manner or extension, e.g. iäti (forever) from ikä : iä|n (age). According to some descriptions, this suffix has boundary gemination.
-hti- : -hdi- derived verb • tervex : tervee|n→ terve|hti|ä : terve|hdi|n • Often based on nouns ending with -ex, using a base ending with short e. Historically, the h is part of the base word.
-elehti- : -elehdi- derived verb • kääntä|ä → käänt|elehti|ä: käänt|eleht|hdi|n • Reflexive verbs that indicate the action as repeated and often intensive. For example, kääntelehtiä means “to turn oneself (around) repeatedly (and anxiously)” and can sometimes be translated with the English idiom “to be tossing and turning”.
-lti derived adverb • laaja → laaja|lti • Mostly means “to a … extent”. According to some descriptions, this suffix has boundary gemination, but this is not common in modern language.
-nti : -nni- derived noun • juo|da → juo|nti : juo|nni|n • Usually a name of action based on a verb.
-stix derived adverb • ruma : ruma|sti • Indicates manner or style or repetition (see sections Derived adverbs and Adverbs expressing repetition). Very productive.
-isti suffix in international words, corresponds to the suffix “-ist” in English • Cf. -ismi. The isti suffix is sometimes appended to words of Finnish origin, too, and it appears also e.g. in some names of players like huilisti (flutist, from huilu “flute”).
-tti : -ti- noun derived from a verb • suojat|a : suojaa|n → suoja|tti : suoja|ti|n.
-vi old suffix for 3rd person singular form in indicative • sano|a : sano|vi (= sanoo) • In old poetry.
-j- plural suffix in nouns and adjectives in partitive and genitive • talo : tal|oj|a : talo|j|en.
-l : -le- derived noun • nivoa → nive|l : nive|le|n • A small set of words, usually with no obvious base word, often synonymous with a -lex derivation, e.g. askel = askelex.
-n genitive case • talo : talon
-n instructive case • jalka : jala|n : jalo|i|n • Rare especially in singular.
-n 1st person singular form of a verb • sano|a : sano|n.
-n : -ne- derived noun • joutsi : joutse|n → joutse|n : joutse|ne|n. Many words that may have this derivational suffix have no obvious base word. E.g. joutsi is an old form of jousi.
-An one of the suffixes of the illative case • kala : kalaan.
-An a variant of the -kAAn suffix • ketä → ketään • Used for some pronouns. The combinations have specialized meanings.
-AAn one of the suffixes for 4th person in indicative • osat|a : osat|aan.
-dAAn one of the suffixes for 4th person in indicative • voi|da : voi|daan.
-kAAn word-like suffix (enclitic particle) • tie → tiekään • There are many words that contain this suffix as an integral part so that the combination has a specialiazed meaning, e.g. kumpikaan, ainakaan, joskaan. There are also words that appear only with this suffix or the suffix -kin, i.e. the base word does not exist as a separate word, e.g. kuitenkaan and kuitenkin.
-lAAn one of the suffixes for 4th person in indicative • tul|la : tul|laan.
-nAAn one of the suffixes for 4th person in indicative • pan|na : pan|naan.
-rAAn one of the suffixes for 4th person in indicative • pur|ra : pur|raan.
-tAAn one of the suffixes for 4th person in indicative • sano|a : sano|taan.
-kseltAAn derived adverb • harva → harva|kseltaan • A few words only. Cf. -kseen.
-stAAn derived adverb • viisi → viisi|stään • Means “as a group of ...”.
-hAn word-like suffix (enclitic particle) • tie → tiehän.
-hAn one of the suffixes of the illative case • maa : maahan.
-seen one of the suffixes of the illative case in singular • vene : venee|seen.
-kseen derived adverb • harva → harva|kseen • A few words only. Historically, translative forms with a possessive suffix.
-hen one of the suffixes of the illative case • tie : tiehen.
-tellen derived adverb • yksi → yksi|tellen • A few words.
-nen : -se- : -s- derived noun • kukka → kukka|nen : kukka|se|t : kukka|s|ta • Very common and productive. Often diminutive, e.g. kirjanen (booklet), from kirja (book). For this and other suffixes ending with nen, the base word always has strong grade in consonant gradation. International words have often been adapted to this group, e.g. tekninen (technical).
-inen : -ise- : -is- derived adjective (or noun) • lika → lika|inen : lika|ise|t : lika|is|ta • Productive. Often means “made of…” or “rich in…”. The -i- is very often omitted in speech (e.g. likanen), except in two-syllable derivations (e.g. puinen). When the base word is three syllables or longer, this suffix is also used instead of the deminutive -nen; e.g. aurinkoinen, from aurinko (sun), can mean both “sunny” and “little sun”. In such words, the i of the suffix is used even in speech.
-iAinen : -iAise- : -iAis- derived noun (or adjective) • laiska → laisk|iainen • Includes names of animals and plants, surnames (e.g. Rautiainen, from rauta), names of festivities (e.g. laskiainen, from laskea), etc.
-jAinen : -jAise- : -jAis- derived noun (or adjective) • paina|a → paina|jainen • Less common variant of -iAinen.
-kAinen : -kAise- : -kAis- derived noun or adjective • neito → neito|kainen • Common in surnames, e.g. Viljakainen, but often with no apparent base word.
-kkAinen : -kkAise- : -kkAis- derived adjective • vasta|an → vasta|kkainen • A small number of words.
-nkAinen : -nkAise- : nkAis- derived noun • leppä : lepä|n → lepi|nkäinen • Rare.
-lAinen : -ilAise- : -lAis- derived noun or adjective • suku → suku|lainen • Very productive. Often denotes or characterizes a person. Commonly used to derive names of inhabitants from place names, e.g. Oulu → oululainen, and supporters of a person or an idea, e.g. Kekkonen → kekkoslainen. Base words ending with nen have that ending changed to s, as in compound words. In some words with a base ending with lA, the lA part is dropped, e.g. Karjala → karjalainen. Other irregular base changes include Suomi → suomalainen, Ruotsi → ruotsalainen, Häme → hämäläinen, Venäjä → venäläinen. When the base word is a foreign word ending with a consonant, a binding i may or may not be present, e.g. Bauhaus → bauhausilainen ∼ bauhauslainen. See additional notes, including comparison with compound words with lAinen as the second part, in section Derived vs. compound words.
-kAlAinen : -kAlAise- derived noun or adjective • me : me|i|dän → mei|käläinen • Based on plural stem of a pronoun (meikäläinen, teikäläinen, heikäläinen) or the short form of a pronoun (muukalainen, täkäläinen, sikäläinen).
-mAinen : -mAise- derived adjective • sika → sika|mainen • Very productive; can be formed from almost any noun. Has some features of a compound word. Usually means “like…” or “similar to”, but e.g. in vaistomainen (instinctive), from vaisto (instinct), the suffix rather means “based on…” or “part of…”. Also a verb form, occurring in adessive plural with possessive suffix, e.g. kaatu|mais|i|lla|ni, called V infinitive. Note that some words ending with mAinen are of different origin; e.g. kotimainen (domestic) is a derivation of the compound kotimaa (homeland).
-mmAinen : -mmAise- derived adjective or noun • nuori → nuori|mmainen • Superlative adjectives or nouns, often based an adverb stems, e.g. jälkimmäinen (latter).
-nAinen : -nAise- derived adjective • itse → itse|näinen • Not to be confused with compound words with nainen (woman) as the second part.
-nnAinen : -nnAise- adjective derived from a verb • johta|a : johda|n → johda|nnainen • Often similar to a participle in meaning, e.g. käännynnäinen (convert), from kääntyä (to turn; to be converted; etc.) is similar to the past participle kääntynyt (turned; converted; etc.) but means specificially a religious or ideological convert.
-rainen : -raise- derived adjective or noun • pikku → pikka|rainen • A few words only.
-ittAinen : -ittAise- derived adjective • päivä → päiv|ittäinen • Refers to regular appearance, e.g. päivittäinen means “daily”. Cf. -ittAin.
-uainen : -uaise- derived noun • muna → mun|uainen • Only a few words: malluainen, mustuainen, ruskuainen, valkuainen.
-vAinen : -vAise- derived adjective bases on a verb • tyyty|ä → tyyty|väinen • Means “for which it is typical to …”. A combination of the suffixes -va and -inen.
-hinen : -hise- derived adjective or noun • hirsi : hirren → hirte|hinen • Mostly old-fashioned or otherwise special words.
-llinen : -llise- derived adjective (or noun) • talous : taloude|n → taloude|llinen • Very productive. Some common meanings: 1) abstractly “relating to…”, e.g. kaupallinen “commercial” from kauppa “trade, commerce”; 2) “that has…”, e.g. aseellinen “armed” from ase : asee|n “weapon”; 3) “the amount that fits into…”, e.g. pullollinen ”bottleful”, from pullo (bottle). There are also specialized derivations, such as päivällinen (from päivä “day”), which means “dinner” when used as a noun. The suffix was previously common in loanword adjectives like teknillinen, which have now mostly been shortened, e.g. tekninen.
-minen : -mise- noun derived from a verb; IV infinitive of a verb • olla : ole|n → oleminen • Can be formed from any verb, and could be classified as part of verb inflection.
-koinen : -koise- derived noun or adjective • eri → eri|koinen • Only a few words, erikoinen (special) and esikoinen (first-born). Words ending with kokoinen are compounds, with the latter part a derivation of koko (size).
-llOinen : -lOise- derived adjective or noun • sairas : sairaa|n → sairaa|lloinen.
-mOinen : -mOise- derived adjective • sama : saman → saman|moinen • Indicates similarity. . Has some features of a compound word. The base is usually the genitive form of a pronoun, except in aikamoinen (considerable, largish). When the base has one syllable only, nm is assimilated to mm even in writing, e.g. tuo : tuon → tuommoinen.
-noinen : -noise- derived adjective • muu : muu|n : mu|i|ssa → mu|i|noinen • Only a few words, with temporal meaning.
-istinen : -istise- international word corresponding to “-istic” or derived noun • nationalistinen • Cf. -ismi.
-Uinen : -Uise- derived adjective (or noun) • suuri → suur|uinen • Usually with an equative meaning, i.e. “of the same…”, e.g. suuruinen “of the same size”. As an exception, aikuinen means “adult” and is also used as a noun.
-tUinen : -tUise- derived adjective • eri → eri|tyinen • Only a few words, partly with obscure basis: alituinen, monituinen, omituinen, vakituinen,vasituinen, yksityinen.
-kkOnen : -kOse- derived noun • nainen : naise|n → nai|kkonen • Only a few words, with irregular shortening in base word, mies → miekkonen, tuohi → tuokkonen, and aakkonen (letter) and ääkkönen (Scandinavian letter å, ä, or ö), derived from the letter names aa and ää.
-isen derived approximate numeral • kolme → kolmisen.
-ten derived adverb • sama → samaten • Mostly expresses manner or time. A limited number of words.
-iten derived adverb • paha → pahiten • Means “in the most … way”. Often alternative to the use of an instructive form of a superlative as an adverb (e.g. pahiten = pahimmin).
-immiten derived adverb • pika- → pik|immiten • Partly a variant of -iten, partly with specialized meaning.
-tUsten derived adverb • kasvo|t → kasvo|tusten. Usually means “with … facing/touching/close to each other”. Cf. -kkAin and -tUksin.
-in : -ime- derived noun, indicating a device or tool • tulostaa → tulost|in : tulost|ime|n • Common and productive. The base word is a verb. There are also a few words that may have this suffix in another meaning, e.g. toutain : toutaimen (asp, a fish species; of unknown origin).
-in one of the suffixes of the illative case • piiri : piiri|in.
-in : -immA- : -impA- : -imm- : -imp- superlative suffix • iso → iso|in : iso|imma|n : iso|impa|na : iso|imm|i|ssa : iso|imp|i|na.
-kkAin derived adverb • kasvo|t → kasvo|kkain • Usually means “with … facing/touching/close to each other”. Cf. -tUsten and -tUksin.
-ittAin derived adverb • päivä → päivittäin • Often refers to regular appearance, e.g. päivittäin means “on a daily basis”. Also answers questions like “how much at a time”, e.g. kiloittain (by kilogram). In modern language, the meaning may have changed; e.g. suomalaisittain can mean “in a Finnish way”, but more often “from the Finnish perspective”. For numerals, produces a distributive adverb.
-hin one of the suffixes of the illative case • pii : pii|hin.
-siin one of the suffixes of the illative case in plural • vene : vene|i|siin.
-kin a word-like suffix (enclitic particle) • tie → tie|kin • There are many words that contain this suffix as an integral part so that the combination has a specialiazed meaning, e.g. kumpikin, ainakin, joskin. There are also words that appear only with this suffix or the suffix -kAAn, i.e. the base word does not exist as a separate word, e.g. kuitenkin.
-llOin derived adverb • muu → muulloin • A few words based on pronouns. Means “at … time”.
-sin : -sime- derived noun • ala- → ala|sin : ala|sime|n • The base word is a noun or an adverb stem.
-isin derived adverbial • ilta → iltaisin • Indicates repetition, e.g. iltaisin means “in the evenings”.
-tUksin derived adverbial • syli → syli|tyksin. Usually means “with … facing/touching/close to each other”. Cf. -kkAin and -tUsten; less common than these in standard language.
-Ustin : -Ustime- derived noun • sääri → säär|ystin • A small set of words.
-On one of the suffixes of the illative case • talo : talo|on.
-hOn one of the suffixes of the illative case • suo : suo|hon.
-kOOn imperative 3rd person singular • sano|a : sano|koon.
-tAkOOn imperative 3rd person singular • ol|la : ol|takoon. Used instead of -ttAkOOn for verbs that have a consonant stem.
-ttAkOOn imperative 3rd person singular • sano|a : sano|ttakoon.
-tOn : -ttOma- derived adjective • maku : mau|n → mau|ton : mau|ttoma|t • A negative expression, indicating lack of the thing expressed by the base noun. E.g. työtön (plural työttömät) from työ “work, job” means “unemployed”. Very productive. The base word always has weak grade in consonant gradation.
-mAtOn : -mattOma- negative participle of a verb • asu|a → asu|maton • A combination of the suffixes -mA and -tOn, but with special meanings. Some of these forms are probably recognized just as adjectives rather than verb forms, e.g. kokematon (unexperienced).
-Un one of the suffixes of the illative case • katu : katu|un.
-hUn one of the suffixes of the illative case • puu : puu|hun.
-O derived noun or adjective • heittä|ä → heitt|o • When based on a verb, often a name of action or expresses a result. Very common, e.g. ostaa → osto, huutaa → huuto, kiertää → kierto.
-O one of the suffixes for 3rd person singular form in indicative • sano|a : sano|o.
-O- derived verb • talla|ta : tallaa|n → tall|o|a : tall|o|n • Often indicates repeated or continued action. Base word often not obvious and may not exist as separate word.
-iO derived noun • valta → valt|io • Common, with greatly varying meanings. Can also be interpreted as two suffixes -i and -o. Often -io is not a suffix but part of Finnish form of an international word that ends with -ion or -ium in English, e.g. inflaatio (inflation).
-kO interrogative suffix • Ostat|ko?
-kO imperative form used in negative context • sano|a →sano|ko • E.g. in Älkää sanoko. This suffix has boundary gemination in some language forms.
-ttAkO imperative form used in negative context in the 4th person • sano|a →sano|ttako • E.g. in Älköö sanottako. This suffix may have boundary gemination in some language forms.
-hkO derived adjective (or noun) • iso → iso|hko. Almost exclusively moderative adjectives, expressing moderate amount of the property expressed by the based word. Very productive in that meaning, e.g. kovahko, suurehko, uudehko.
-kkO : -kO- derived noun • kivi → kivi|kko • Very common. Often collective meaning. Often preceded by an -i- suffix, e.g. koivu → koiv|i|kko. Cf. -stO. Many words ending with kko are international words adapted to Finnish this way, often ending with “-ician” in English, e.g. matemaatikko (mathematician).
-nkO derived noun • ala- → ala|nko • Typically means place or state.
-skO derived noun or adjective • puoli → puolisko • Base word often not in modern language or changes irregularly.
-lO derived noun • henki → henki|lö.
-mO derived noun • maalat|a : maalaa|n → maalaa|mo • When the base is a verb, indicates a place or building, often for professional activity; e.g. katsomo (auditorium, stand) from katsoa (to watch) and leipomo (bakery) from leipoa (to bake). In a few words, the end vowel of the stem irregularly changes to i, e.g. paahtimo, panimo. Appears in proper names too, e.g. in place names like Kuusamo and in Tuhkimo (Cinderella).
-rO derived noun • sapa → sapa|ro • Rare. Base word usually not a standard Finnish word.
-isO derived noun • nuori : nuore|n → nuor|iso • A few words only: puoliso (spouse) and collective nouns like yleisö (public; audience).
-ntO : -nnO- derived noun • kaiva|a → kaiva|nto • When based on a verb, may be a name of action but more often a name for a result.
-stO derived noun • saari → saari|sto • Productive. Often based on a plural stem, e.g. elin : elime|n : elim|i|ssä → elim|i|stö. Usually collective meaning.
-listO derived noun • köyhä → köyhä|listö • A small group of words.
-ttO derived noun • pyhä → pyhä|ttö • A few (rare) words only: epatto, lähittö, pihatto.
-tAr : -ttAre- derived noun • kreivi → kreivi|tär : kreivi|ttäre|n • Means “wife of …” or “female …”. Mostly used for a few words only; see section Gender and sex.
-s a word-like suffix (enclitic particle) • mene → mene|s • Makes a request or statement “softer”.
-s : adverbial suffix • ulko- : ulo- → ulo|s • Only for a small set of adverbs and for comparison of nouns, e.g. rannemmas.
-s : -kse- derived noun or adjective • jalka : jala|n → jala|s : jala|kse|n • When the base is a verb, often a name of action, but may also mean target or result of action, e.g. ostaa → ostos|. Some words with this suffix are used only in plural in inner locational cases and denote states, e.g. nuku|ks|i|ssa (sleepy) from nukku|a : nuku|n (to sleep). Some words, like veljes, are normally used in plural only (e.g. veljekset), to denote mutual relations.
-s : -nne- : -nte- ordinal numeral • yhdeksän → yhdeksä|s : yhdeksä|nne|n: yhdeksä|nte|nä.
-s : -*- derived noun or adjective • koira → koira|s : koira|a|n • “*” means that the final vowel of the stem is prolonged (doubled).
-iAs : -iAA- derived adjective • udel|la : utele|n → utel|ias : utel|iaa|n • The base word is mostly a verb (usually frequentative) and the meaning is usually “for which it is typical to….”. The word vuotias (from vuosi) is common in compounds like kaksivuotias (two years old).
-liAs : -liAA- derived adjective • uni : une|n → une|lias : une|liaa|n • Usually indicates a typical property.
-kAs : -kkAA- derived noun or adjective • asia → asia|kas : asia|kkaa|n • Typically means “one that has …”, though sometimes specialized.
-lAs : -lAA- derived noun or adjective • oppi|a → oppi|las : oppi|laa|n • Nouns typically denote people.
-nnes : -nnekse- fractional numeral • kolme → kolma|nnes : kolma|nnekse|n.
-is : -ikse- derived noun (usually colloquial) • pissa → pissis : pissikse|n • May also be based on foreign word that is not used as such in Finnish, e.g. bestis (best friend), from Swedish “bäst” or English ”best”.
-lis : -lii- noun derived from a verb • saa|da → saa|lis : saa|lii|n • A small set of words.
-ks common colloquial form of the -kO suffix • on → on|ks (= onko).
-Os old imperative-like form, optative • osta|a : osta|os • In old poetry.
-lOs variant of optative suffix -Os • tul|la : tul|los • For verbs with a consonant stem ending with l.
-Os : -Okse- derived noun • osta|a → ost|os : ost|okse|n • When the base is a verb, sometimes a name of action, but more often a name of result or target.
-nnOs : -nnOkse- noun derived from a verb • jää|dä → jää|nnös : jää|nnökse|n • A few words only, like luonnos, maannos, syönnös, and saannos (in the compound aikaansaannos).
-Us : -Ute- : -Ude- : -Uks- derived noun • vapaa → vapa|us : vapa|ute|na : vapa|ude|n : vapa|uks|i|ssa. • Very productive in deriving names of properties from adjectives or nouns; cf. -UUs. Also used e.g. to derive a name of action or other noun from a verb.
-Us : -Ukse- : -Uks- derived noun • kaula → kaul|us : kaul|ukse|n : kaul|uks|i|ssa. When based on a verb, often a name of action.
-mUs : -mUkse- : -mUks- derived noun • katu|a → katu|mus : katu|mukse|n : katu|muks|i|lla. When based on a verb, often a name of action.
-imUs : -imUkse- : -imUks- derived noun • laiska → laisk|imus : laisk|imukse|n : laisk|imuks|i|lla • Often an affective noun describing a person.
-UUs : -UUte- : -UUde- : -UUks- derived noun • sovinnainen : sovinnaise|n → sovinnais|uus : sovinnais|uute|na : sovinnais|uude|n : sovinnais|uuks|i|ssa. • For nouns and adjectives as the base, this is a variant of -Us : -Ute- and used to form names of properties. Very productive.
-ttOmUUs : -ttOmUUte- : -ttOmUUde- : -ttOmUUks- derived noun • työ → työ|ttömyys • A combination of the suffixes -tOn and -UUs, but sometimes with special meanings. E.g. onnettomuus (accident) is semantically based directly on onni (luck; happiness) rather than onneton (unhappy).
-isUUs : -isUUte- : -isUUde- : -isUUks- derived noun • oppinut → oppinee|n → oppine|isuus • Extended form of -UUs : -Uute- used to derive names of properties.
-t nominative plural • talo : talo|t.
-t 2nd person singular form of a verb • sano|a : sano|t.
-t accusative • minä : minu|t. • Only in the following forms: minut, sinut, hänet, meidät, teidät, heidät, kenet.
-At- : -AA- derived verb or an adapted foreign verb • filmi → film|at|ax : film|aa|n • Very productive. See Contraction verbs.
-kOOt imperative 3rd person plural • sano|a : sano|koot.
-vat 3rd person plural form of a verb • sano|a : sano|vat.
-Ut : -Ue- : -U- derived noun or adjective • ehe- → eh|yt : eh|ye|n : eh|y|i|ssä • Base often not in modern language as such, but e.g. ehe- has other derivations, such as eheä. There is a limited set of words of this type, and they have specialties in the illative case.
-hUt : -hUe- : -hU- derived noun • tie → tie|hyt : tie|hye|n : tie|hy|i|ssä • Rare. Does not always change meaning, e.g. kuuhut is poetic synonym for kuu.
-lUt : -lee- past participle, assimilated variant of -nut • tul|la → tul|lut : tul|lee|n.
-nUt : -nee- past participle • sano|a → sano|nut : sano|nee|n • Some participles are also used as adjectives or nouns, e.g. oppinut (learned, scholar).
-rUt : -ree- past participle, assimilated variant of -nut • pur|ra → pur|rut : pur|ree|n.
-sUt : -see- past participle, assimilated variant of -nut • lakais|ta → lakais|sut : lakais|see|n.
-U one of the suffixes for 3rd person singular form in indicative • valu|a : valu|u.
-U- derived verb • estä|ä → est|y|ä • Very common. Usually passive or reflexive. When the base is a noun or adjective, often means “to become …”, e.g. kuiv|u|a (to get dry) from kuiva (dry). Some common verbs like asua (to dwell) and istua (to sit) historically have this suffix, but the base verb has disappeared.
-U derived noun • kaiva|a → kaiv|u • Causes loss of the end vowel of the stem. When based on a verb, often a name of action, but may also denote result of action. For example, laulu, from laulaa (to sing), can mean both “(act of) singing” and “song”.
-pU- : -vU- derived verb • saa|da → saa|pu|a : saa|vu|n • A small set of words: elpyä, haipua, häipyä, juopua, luopua, saapua, suopua, syöpyä, taipua, toipua, uupua, vaipua, viipyä, voipua, yöpyä, partly with unknown base words.
-sU derived adjective or noun • hupa → hup|su • Only few words. Causes irregular changes in the base word.
-ksU- verb derived from an adjective or a noun. • hyvä → hyvä|ksy|ä • Usually means “to regard as” or “to take as”. E.g. paha (bad) → paheksua (to disapprove); this verb (like a few others) has an irregular change of a to e. at the end of the base word. Cf. -ksi-.
-tU- derived verb • varjel|la → varjel|tu|a : varjel|lu|n • Passive or reflexive. The t in the suffix participates in consonant gradation by normal rules, e.g. lt : ll.
-tU- : -dU- passive participle, past tense • luo|da : luo|tu : luo|du|n • Variant of -ttU, used after a long vowel or diphthong.
-tU- : -lU- passive participle, past tense • nuol|la : nuol|tu : nuol|lu|n • Variant of -ttU, used after the consonant r.
-tU- : -nU- passive participle, past tense • men|nä : men|ty : men|ny|n • Variant of -ttU, used after the consonant n.
-tU- : -rU- passive participle, past tense • pur|ra : pur|tu : pur|ru|n • Variant of -ttU, used after the consonant l .
-tU- : -tU- passive participle, past tense • halkais|ta : halkais|tu : halkais|tu|n • Variant of -ttU, used after a consonant other than l, n, or r.
-htU- : -hdU- derived verb • men|nä : mene|n → mene|hty|ä : mene|hdy|n • A rather small set of words, mostly with no obvious base word.
-itU- : -idU- derived verb • vaurio → vaurio|itu|a : vaurio|idu|n • Can often, but not always, be interpreted as a combination of the suffixes -ittA- : -itA- and the passive or reflexive suffix -U- (so that e.g. vaurioitua is a derivation of vaurioittaa). May cause the final vowel of the base word to change to o, e.g. hankala → hankaloitua, so that we could alternatively regard -OitU- as the suffix.
-*ntU- : -*nnU- derived verb • kääri|ä → kääri|inty|ä kääri|inny|n • The symbol * denotes repetition of the preceding vowel. These derivations can usually be seen as passive derivations of verbs. In older language, the suffix also often appeared in the form -UntU-, e.g. hajauntua = hajaantua. Many of these verbs have synonym with the -UtU- suffix, e.g. kääriintyä = kääriytyä.
-stU- derived verb • hermo → hermo|stu|a • Typically indicates a change of state.
-istU- derived verb • varma → varm|istu|a • Can be interpreted as a combination of the suffixes -istA- and -U, usually with a passive (or reflexive) meaning with respect to the immediate base verb like varmistaa.
-ttU : -tU- passive participle, past tense • sano|a : sano|ttu : sano|tu|n • Under certain conditions, the vowel before this suffix is changed to e, e.g. osta|a : oste|ttu : oste|tu|n, but this is regarded as stem variation, not part of the suffix. There are derivations such as julmettu and kovettu that look like participles but lack a base verb, so they are just analogous.
-ttU- : -tU- derived verb • kylmä → kylme|tty|ä : kylme|ty|n • Often indicates change of state and may sometimes be interpreted as a passive derivation, with the suffix -U-, from a verb like kylmettää with the -ttA- suffix. Usually changes the final vowel of the stem to e. May partly be interpreted as -tU- derivations of verbs like kylmet|ä : kylmene|n.
-UtU- : -UdU- derived verb • peri|ä → peri|yty|ä : peri|ydy|n • Productive. Usually passive or reflexive.
-UU derived noun • hakat|a : hakkaa|n → hakk|uu. Causes loss of the end vowel of the stem. When based on a verb, often means action or result. Effectively a variant of -U, used for contraction verbs.