Kaukaisiin

Kaukaisiin is the illative plural form of the Finnish adjective kaukainen, meaning distant or far away. It is used when the adjective modifies a plural noun in the illative case, most commonly in the expression kaukaisiin maihin, which translates to “to distant lands.”

Grammatical notes: In Finnish, kaukaisiin appears with plural nouns in illative case. The nominative plural of the adjective is kaukaiset, while the singular illative is kaukaiseen. The form kaukaisiin signals direction or destination, as in a movement into distant places rather than a description of a property.

Usage and examples: The phrase is common in travel writing, poetry, and song lyrics, where it evokes exploration, longing, or adventure. Examples include: “Mennään kaukaisiin maihin” (Shall we go to distant lands?), “Matka kaukaisiin maihin kiehtoo monia” (The journey to distant lands fascinates many), and “Kaukaisiin maailmoihin suuntautuvat unelmat” (dreams directed toward distant worlds). Beyond fixed expressions, kaukaisiin can appear with various plural nouns to convey travel or aspiration toward faraway destinations.

Etymology and nuance: Kaukaisen root comes from kaukainen, and the illative plural form aligns with Finnish inflection rules for adjectives modifying plural nouns in motion-toward constructions. The term carries a sense of distance, adventure, and the unknown, making it a poetic and idiomatic staple in Finnish prose and lyricism.

See also: Finnish grammar, illative case, kaukainen.