Neljälle

Neljälle is a Finnish allative form of the numeral neljä (four). In Finnish grammar, the allative case, marked with the suffix -lle, is used to indicate direction toward or benefit for something or someone. When applied to numerals, neljälle typically marks the recipient, beneficiary, or target of an action expressed by a verb such as giving, sending, or addressing.

In practical use, neljälle is most common in contexts where four recipients or four destinations are being specified. For example, Annoin kirjan neljälle means I gave the book to four people. Lähetin viestin neljälle could be translated as I sent the message to four recipients. The form can also indicate “for four” in some constructions, as in suunnittelemme projektin neljälle ryhmälle (we are planning the project for four groups). The allative form is often explicit when the total number of recipients is important, but in everyday speech speakers may choose to specify the recipients more directly (for example, neljälle henkilölle).

Frequency and usage notes: neljälle is part of a broader pattern in Finnish where numerals take allative forms such as yhdelle, kahdelle, kolmelle, and neljälle to denote recipients or targets. It is most natural in formal or semi-formal clauses; in many casual contexts speakers either specify entities by name or use the plural of the noun phrase (e.g., neljälle henkilölle) for clarity.

See also: Finnish grammar, allative case, numerals in Finnish.