Genetiiviksi

Genetiiviksi is a Finnish term used to describe the act of inflecting a word into the genitive case. In Finnish grammar, the genitive (genetiivi) marks possession, close relationship, and certain noun-noun constructions. The phrase genetiiviksi literally means “into the genitive” and is common in grammar instructions or exercises to indicate the desired transformation.

Formation of the genitive varies by noun class but often involves adding a suffix to the stem. In many nouns, the genitive singular is formed by adding -n, with phonological adjustments depending on the noun’s ending and vowel harmony. Examples: talo → talon, koira → koiran. The genitive plural typically ends with -ien or -en forms such as talojen, koirien, naisten. There are irregularities and stem changes for some nouns, especially those ending in -nen or -e, and for words with consonant gradation.

Functions of the genitive include marking possession and indicating relatedness, as in talon ovi “the door of the house” or koulun kirjat “the school’s books.” The genitive also serves as a basis for other grammatical forms and for linking nouns in compounding and modifier sequences. In many noun phrases, Finnish uses the genitive to connect the possessor or governing noun with the possessed noun.

Usage notes: In language learning materials, sentences such as “muuta sana genetiiviksi” illustrate the instruction to convert a nominative form into genitive. Mastery of genitive forms aids noun inflection, agreement, and the construction of clear noun phrases in Finnish.