Kokemalla

Kokemalla is a Finnish non-finite verb form derived from the verb kokea, meaning “to experience.” The form is created by adding the suffix -malla (or -mällä) to the stem, producing the so-called -malla infinitive, which expresses manner or means. In Finnish, kokema- with -malla functions like an adverbial form meaning “by experiencing” or “through experience.”

In use, kokemalla typically modifies the action of the main clause and often conveys experiential learning or a method of doing something. It is common in sentences that describe how someone learns or achieves something, especially in educational, professional, or personal development contexts. It can appear with verbs like oppia (to learn) or opettaa (to teach), or stand in subordinate clauses to express how an outcome is obtained.

Examples:

- Kokemalla oppii parhaiten. (One learns best by experience.)

- Koulutuksessa opitaan kokemalla erilaisia tilanteita. (In training, one learns by experiencing different situations.)

- Johtaminen kehittyy kokemalla sekä onnistumisia että epäonnistumisia. (Leadership develops by experiencing both successes and failures.)

Kokemalla is part of a broader set of Finnish -malla/-mällä forms, which express means or manner of an action. Other verbs form analogous expressions with their own stems, such as kokeilemalla (by trying). The form is commonly found in writings on education, training, and experiential learning.