Määrätletavale

Määrätletavale is a Finnish linguistic term. It refers to a noun phrase that has a definite determiner and is specific. In essence, it describes a noun that is clearly identified and particular within the context of a sentence. This contrasts with indefinite or unspecific noun phrases.

The concept of määrätletavale is crucial in understanding Finnish grammar, particularly in how definiteness affects sentence structure and meaning. When a noun phrase is määrätletavale, it signifies that the speaker or writer is referring to something the listener or reader already knows or can easily identify. For example, "talo" means "house," but "talo" when used as määrätletavale would imply a specific house, such as "the house" or "that house."

Finnish uses case endings and demonstrative pronouns to signal definiteness. The genitive case, for instance, often indicates a specific possessor, contributing to the definiteness of the possessed noun. Demonstrative pronouns like "tämä" (this) and "tuo" (that) also explicitly mark a noun phrase as määrätletavale. Understanding this distinction is vital for accurate comprehension and production of Finnish sentences, as it impacts the flow of information and the precise meaning conveyed.