Verb types

There are 6 primary verb types found in Finnish. Their conjugation patterns are logical and systematic but some exceptions exist.

Identifying verb types can be quite difficult at first. The playlist Suomen kielen verbityypit (Opens in new window) by Sinä osaat! Suomen kieltä kaikille outlines each type succinctly.

Verb type 1

Type 1 verbs are classified by the following ending patterns:

• -aa, -ea, -eä, -ia, -iä, -oa, -ua, -yä, -ää, -öä

Read more about type 1 verbs.

Verb type 2

Type 2 verbs are classified by the following ending patterns:

• da/dä

Read more about type 2 verbs.

Verb type 3

Type 3 verbs are classified by the following ending patterns:

• -lla/-llä, -sta/-stä, -nna/-nnä, -ra/-rä

Read more about type 3 verbs.

Verb type 4

Type 4 verbs are classified by the following ending patterns:

• -ata/-ätä, -ota/-ötä, -uta/-ytä

Read more about type 4 verbs.

Verb type 5

Type 5 verbs are classified by the following ending patterns:

• -ita/-itä

Read more about type 5 verbs.

Verb type 6

Type 6 verbs are classified by the following ending patterns:

• -eta/-etä

Read more about type 6 verbs.

Verb type crossovers

Occasionally some verbs from types 4, 5 and 6, may crossover and conjugate as if they were different types.

Read more about verb type crossovers.