Adessiv

Adessiv, or adessive, is a grammatical case used in several Finnic languages to mark location on or at a surface. It is part of a system of locative cases that express spatial relations, such as inessive (in), allative (onto), and elative (out of). The term derives from a combination of a directional/locative sense with the essive (state) notion, and it is most commonly studied in Finnish and Estonian grammar.

In Finnish, the adessive is formed with the suffix -lla or -llä attached to the noun stem, with the form often written as pöydällä (on the table) or talolla (at the house). It denotes location on a surface or at a place. The adessive also appears in possessive constructions, notably in subjects with the verb olla “to have,” as in Minulla on auto, meaning “I have a car.” Here minulla is the adessive form of minä (I) used in a possessive construction.

In Estonian, the adessive is expressed with an -al/-ul pattern that yields forms such as laual (on the table) and põrandal (on the floor). Like Finnish, Estonian uses the adessive to describe location, and it also occurs in colloquial possession expressions similar to “Mul on raha” (I have money). The exact suffix shape can vary with phonology and word class, but the on/at meaning remains central.

Across languages that use the adessive, its primary function is locative, with secondary uses related to possession in certain constructions. It contrasts with related cases such as the inessive (inside), elative (out of), and allative (onto). See also locative cases in Finnic languages.