Hetkellisena

Hetkellisena is a Finnish word that functions as the essive form of the adjective hetkellinen, meaning momentary or temporary. In Finnish grammar the essive case expresses a temporary state or role, roughly corresponding to “as” or “in the capacity of” in English. Hetkellisena is used to describe something that exists or holds true only for a short period or in a provisional capacity.

Usage and nuance

Hetkellisena is more common in written Finnish and in more formal or literary contexts. In everyday speech, speakers often prefer synonyms such as tilapäinen (temporary) or väliaikainen (interim), or use phrases that indicate temporariness. The form emphasizes the temporary quality of a state or role rather than permanence.

Formation and grammar

Hetkellisena is formed from hetkellinen by adding the essive suffix -na/-nä, yielding an adjective in the essive case that can describe a temporary state or role. It frequently appears with verbs like olla or toimia to indicate “being as” or “acting as” in a temporary sense, for example in constructions meaning “acted as a temporary leader.”

Related terms

Related words include hetkellinen (momentary), tilapäinen (temporary), and väliaikainen (interim). The essive case is a broader grammatical feature of Finnish that marks temporary states, roles, or appearances.

See also

Finnish grammar, Essive case, Finnish adjectives and noun phrases.