Mainfinitiivien

Mainfinitiivien, or ma-infinitives, are a class of non-finite verb forms in Finnish. They are formed by attaching the suffix -maan or -mään to the verb stem, with the choice determined by vowel harmony: -maan after back vowels and -mään after front vowels. Examples include nukkumaan from nukkua, syömään from syödä, and lukemaan from lukea.

Ma-infinitives are primarily used to express the action of the verb as a purpose or goal, especially after verbs of motion or intention. They also occur in clauses that indicate what someone plans or needs to do. Common constructions include phrases such as mennä nukkumaan (to go to sleep), tulla syömään (to come to eat), and oppia lukemaan (to learn to read). They can also follow verbs like tarvitseva or aikoa to express aim, as in "minun on pakko oppia lukemaan" (I must learn to read).

In syntax, the ma-infinitive functions as a non-finite complement or purpose clause, allowing a compact expression of sequences of actions or aims without introducing a finite verb. It is distinct from other Finnish infinitive forms (such as infinitivi I and II) in both form and typical function, though all are non-finite verb forms that enrich clause structure.

Overall, the ma-infinitive is a productive and versatile tool in Finnish, enabling speakers to encode purpose, intention, and connected actions with a single non-finite verbal form.