Kohtalaisissa

Kohtalaisissa is the inessive plural form of the Finnish adjective kohtalainen, meaning fateful, destined, or momentous. Used to describe events, circumstances, or moments that are considered significant in shaping a person’s life or a situation. The form reflects its relationship to the noun it modifies and signals a plural, inessive context, for example in phrases like kohtalaisissa tilanteissa, meaning in fateful situations.

Etymology and grammar: The adjective kohtalainen is derived from kohtalo, fate or destiny, with the suffix -inen forming an adjective. The inessive plural ending -issa (or -issä) is then added when describing plural nouns in the inessive case, yielding kohtalaisissa. This construction is common in formal or literary Finnish. Its closer, stronger counterpart is kohtalokas, which more directly means “fateful” or “decisive” in a dramatic sense.

Usage and nuance: Kohtalaisissa tends to appear in literary, historical, or journalistic writing, where the author wishes to emphasize the significance or destiny-laden nature of events. It is less common in everyday colloquial speech, where simpler phrases may be chosen. Typical contexts include discussions of pivotal moments, turning points, or dramatic developments in individuals’ lives or in collective history. Fixed expressions such as kohtalaisissa tilanteissa or kohtalaisissa käänteissä illustrate its usage.

See also: kohtalo (fate), kohtalokas (fateful, decisive), kohtalainen (fateful, significant).