Ksipääte

Ksipääte is a Finnish linguistic term referring to the suffix -ksi, which marks the translative case in Finnish grammar. The translative is used to indicate a change of state, transformation, or becoming into someone or something, and is often translated into English as “into” or “to become.”

The suffix attaches to the stem of a noun or noun-like form to express that a person or thing is turning into a new state or role. It is frequently used in constructions with verbs that describe change, such as mennä (to go) or tulla (to become), but it also appears in standard noun phrases to signal transformation. Common examples include: opettaja → opettajaksi (to become a teacher), koira → koiraksi (into a dog), kaupunki → kaupungiksi (into a city), and opiskelija → opiskelijaksi (into a student).

Phonology and morphology with ksipääte are generally straightforward: the suffix -ksi is added to the stem to form the translative, with the usual vowel harmony and consonant behavior of Finnish phonology. The exact pronunciation follows standard Finnish rules, and there is no separate morphophonemic alternation specific to this suffix beyond normal harmony processes.

Differences from related endings are notable. The translative -ksi expresses a change of state or new role, whereas the essive ending -na/-nä typically marks a temporary or perennially held state (for example, “opettajana” as “as a teacher”). Thus ksipääte serves to convey the sense of becoming or transforming, rather than simply being in a certain state.

See also: translative case, Finnish grammar, esive and essive endings.