Datatiiviset

Datatiiviset is a Finnish term used in linguistics to refer to the dative case and its manifestations across languages that have a dedicated dative form. The word is an adjective in plural form, describing nouns, pronouns, or constructions that express the dative function. In cross-linguistic discussions, dativiset helps describe how some languages mark the indirect object, recipient, beneficiary, or beneficiary-like roles with a distinct case.

In languages with a dative case, the dative typically marks the recipient or indirect object of an action, the beneficiary of an event, or other participants affected by the verb. The exact semantic range can vary by language, and some languages link dative to possession or experiencer roles as well. Morphology varies widely: Latin uses case endings such as -o, -is for dative forms in nouns and pronouns like mihi; German uses dem or der in the noun phrase to indicate the dative, as in Ich gebe dem Mann das Buch. The dative often coexists with other cases to encode full sentence meaning, and in some languages it is expressed by prepositions rather than inflection.

Finnish does not have a standalone dative case. Therefore, the term dativiset is used mainly in comparative grammar to discuss how languages with a dative operate, contrasted with Finnish grammar. In practice, Finnish expresses dative-like meanings using other means, such as the allative suffix -lle (for example, minulle “to me”) or various postpositional phrases, rather than through a dedicated dative inflection. This highlights how the same functional role can be realized through different grammatical devices in different languages.

See also: grammatical case, indirect object, recipient, beneficiary.