Essiiviset

Essiiviset, or the essive case, are a group of Finnish grammatical forms used to express a temporary state, role, or capacity. They are typically translated into English as “as” or “in the capacity of.” In Finnish, the essive is most commonly encountered with nouns and pronouns, and it can also appear with adjectives to describe a state.

Formation and forms: In the singular, the essive is formed by adding -na or -nä to the stem of the word, with adjustments for vowel harmony and consonant changes. In the plural, the ending is -ina or -inä. For example, from the noun opiskelija (student) you get opiskelijana (as a student) in the singular and opiskelijoina (as students) in the plural. The exact spelling may vary depending on the stem, but the general pattern is stable: singular -na/-nä, plural -ina/-inä.

Usage: The essive expresses a state or role rather than a permanent attribute. It is often used with the verb olla (to be) or other verbs to indicate occupation, identity, or temporary status. Examples: Hän on opettajana koulussa. (He is functioning as a teacher at school / He works as a teacher.) Hän oli opiskelijana useiden vuosien ajan. (He was a student for several years.) The essive contrasts with the translative, which marks a change of state or function (becoming something).

Notes: The essive forms are one of the key cases in Finnish grammar and are taught as part of noun and adjective inflection. Their use can be extended to adjectives reflecting a temporary quality, following the same -na/-nä pattern, with plural being -ina/-inä.