Adjektiivisanamuoto

Adjektiivisanamuoto is a Finnish grammar term referring to the form an adjective takes when it functions as an adjective. In practice, it denotes the inflected shapes of adjectives used to modify nouns or to appear predicatively in a clause. Adjective forms are closely tied to the noun they describe and, in attributive position, they normally agree with the noun in number and case. For example, in attributive phrases the adjective carries endings that reflect the noun’s grammatical role, as in a singular or plural construction and in various cases.

Finnish adjectives also show comparison: positive (the basic form), comparative, and superlative. The comparative is typically formed with the suffix -mpi (kaunis → kauniimpi, more beautiful), and the superlative with -in or -imman (kauniin/kaunein, the most beautiful). There are irregular forms as well, such as hyvää/parempi/paras (good, better, best), which do not follow the regular -mpi/-in pattern.

Some adjectives participate in derivational formation, for example with the ending -inen to form adjectives from nouns or other bases (esimerkiksi talvinen, nuohoaminen). Adjektiivisanamuoto also encompasses the contrast between attributive and predicative use: in predicative position the adjective agrees in number with the subject, while its case is typically not marked separately from the predicate construction.

Related topics include the broader Finnish inflection system, degrees of comparison, and the distinction between adjective forms used attributively versus predicatively.