Kolmella

Kolmella is the adessive singular form of the Finnish numeral kolme (three). It is used in phrases where the number three functions as a means, instrument, or location rather than as a standalone count. In Finnish, numerals behave like adjectives and take case endings, so kolme becomes kolmella in the adessive case to express “with three” or “on three” depending on context.

Common uses of kolmella include describing the means by which an action is performed or the way something exists. For example, kirjoitin kolmella kynällä means “I wrote with three pens,” and auto on kolmella pyörällä can be understood as “the car is on three wheels.” The form is also found in expressions that specify three units used together, such as kolmella työkalulla (with three tools) or kolmella kädellä (with three hands, often used metaphorically).

Grammatically, kolmella is the adessive form derived from kolme. It must appear with a noun in the adessive case, and it reflects the same number-based inflection pattern that other Finnish numerals follow when combined with nouns. The corresponding cardinal three remains kolme, while other cases of the numeral change similarly (e.g., kolmen in genitive, kolmessa in inessive).

In usage, kolmella is most common in spoken and written Finnish when the speaker intends to emphasize the means or configuration involving the number three, rather than merely counting three items. It is one of several adessive forms formed from Finnish numbers and is part of standard Finnish grammar.