Määreet

Määreet is a term used in Finnish grammar to refer to words or groups of words that modify a noun and help specify its referent. In everyday language, määreet describe properties such as size, color, quantity, identity, or proximity, and they form a major part of noun phrases.

The category of määreet includes several subtypes. Adjectives such as sininen (blue) and suuri (large) directly describe qualities. Numerals like kolme (three) indicate quantity. Demonstratives such as tämä (this) and tuo (that) point to a specific referent. Possessives such as minun taloni (my house) mark ownership, while other determiners and quantifiers can further limit or identify the noun. In Finnish, these elements typically precede the noun and agree in number and case with it; adjectives agree in number and case, while numerals and demonstratives are inflected accordingly.

Functions of määreet include limiting the reference of a noun, providing distinguishing information, and guiding interpretation in discourse. They help listeners or readers choose between referents and understand specifics about the described object. The arrangement of määreet and noun is a core aspect of Finnish noun phrases, contributing to clarity and precision in communication.

Cross-linguistically, similar functions are performed by determiners, adjectives, and quantifiers in other languages, though the exact inventory and syntactic behavior of määreet reflect Finnish morphological and syntactic patterns. The study of määreet intersects with broader topics in grammar, including definiteness, noun-phrase structure, and agreement.