Allative / Study Finnish

Allative

The Allative (allatiivi) case is part of the external locative cases. It typically corresponds to the “to”, “on” or “onto” prepositions in English, and usually refers to a change or observation of “something going from outside to a closeby position”. In Finnish it is indicated by the -lle suffix.

Concept

When something is going to (but not necessarily into) something else, such as an open space.
When giving something to someone.

Usage

When going to something

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When going to but not necessarily into something, such as a generally open space, add -lle to the word.

Table for the list of allative locative case conjugation examples for when going to something
Word	Translation	Example	Example translated
Talo	House	Talolle, taloille	To the house(s)
Kaappi	Cupboard	Kaapille, kaapeille	To the cupboard(s)
Laatikko	Box	Laatikolle, laatikoille	To the box(es)
Tasku	Pocket	Taskulle, taskuille	To the pocket(s)
Auto	Car	Autolle, autoille	To the car(s)

When giving something to someone

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Such as objects of any type.

Table for the list of ablaallativetive locative case conjugation examples for when giving something to someone
Word	Translation
Joulupukki antaa paljon joululahjoja lapsille	Santa Claus gives many gifts to the children
Minä ostin lahja ystävän kissalle	I bought a gift for my friend’s cat
Voitko sinä antaa minulle kahvia?	Can you give to me some coffee?

Formation

When words end in a single vowel

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Words that end in a single vowel of -a/-ä, -o/-ö or -u/-y simply add the -lle suffix.

Table for the list of allative locative case conjugation examples for when conjugating Finnish words that end in a single vowel of -a/-ä, -o/-ö or -u/-y
Word	Conjugation
Piha	Pihalle
Katu	Kadulle
Parveke	Parvekkeelle

When words end in -e

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Words that end in -e acquire a second -e before adding the -lle suffix.

Table for the list of allative locative case conjugation examples for when conjugating words that end in -e
Word	Conjugation
Huone	Huoneelle
Vene	Veneelle
Lentokone	Lentokoneelle

When words end in -nen

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Words that end in -nen change to -se before adding the -lle suffix.

Table for the list of allative locative case conjugation examples for when conjugating words that end in -nen
Word	Conjugation
Keltainen	Keltaiselle
Suomalainen	Suomalaiselle
Toinen	Toiselle

New Finnish words

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New Finnish words typically look or sound like words in other languages. They perhaps most commonly seem to resemble English words. These words simply add the -lle suffix.

Table for the list of allative locative case conjugation examples for when conjugating new Finnish words
Word	Conjugation
Pankki	Pankille
Bussi	Bussille
Kahvi	Kahville

Old Finnish words

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Old Finnish words that end in -i change to -e before adding the -lle suffix.

Table for the list of allative locative case conjugation examples for when conjugating old Finnish words that end in -i
Word	Conjugation
Järvi	Järvelle
Lahti	Lahdelle
Suomi	Suomelle

Old Finnish words ending in -si

Toggle old finnish words ending in -si

Old Finnish words that end in -si change to -de before adding the -lle suffix.

Table for the list of allative locative case conjugation examples for when conjugating old Finnish words that end in -si
Word	Conjugation
Uusi	Uudelle
Kuukausi	Kuukaudelle
Vuosi	Vuodelle