Causatiivipäätteet

Causatiivipäätteet are verb suffixes in Finnish that indicate causation. They are used to show that someone or something causes another person or thing to perform an action. These suffixes are attached to the stem of a verb to create a causative verb.

The most common causatiivipäätteet are -tt- and -is-. The choice between them often depends on the original verb's stem and certain phonological rules. For example, the verb "juosta" (to run) can become "juoksuttaa" (to make someone run or to cause something to run) by adding -tt-. Similarly, "painaa" (to press) can become "painattaa" (to have something pressed).

The suffix -is- is less common and often appears with verbs of certain origins or specific semantic nuances. For instance, "olla" (to be) can form "olla isku" (to make a strike), though this construction is not as productive as those with -tt-.

Causative verbs created with these suffixes function grammatically like regular verbs. They can be conjugated for tense, mood, and person. The object of the causative verb is often the person or thing being made to perform the action. Understanding causatiivipäätteet is crucial for comprehending the nuances of Finnish verb morphology and expressing causative relationships effectively. They allow for a more concise and direct way to convey that an action is being caused, rather than merely happening.