Oikeaan

Oikeaan is a Finnish word form that functions as the illative case of the adjective oikea, meaning "to the right" or "into the right side" when used to indicate direction or orientation. In Finnish, adjectives inflect for case, and the illative suffix -an is attached to the stem to express motion toward or into something. Therefore oikeaan literally conveys movement toward the right.

Usage and meaning

In directional or navigational contexts, oikeaan appears in phrases describing movement toward the right. For example, Käänny oikeaan means "Turn to the right." Another common construction is Siirry oikeaan kaistalle, meaning "Move to the right lane." In everyday speech, the more general directional form oikealle is frequently used for “to the right,” while oikeaan is encountered in more formal, fixed, or written expressions and in contexts stressing the sense of motion into a right-hand area.

Grammatical notes

Oikeaan declines like other adjectives in Finnish and is used with nouns in illative constructions. It can also occur in phrases involving direction, such as oikeaan suuntaan (in the right direction). The form highlights direction toward the right rather than just the side.

Etymology and relation

The form derives from the base adjective oikea, which covers meanings of "right" as a direction or as correct. Oikeaan should not be confused with oikealle, the more common allative form used for general “to the right,” or with the noun oikeus (law) in different contexts.

See also

oikea, vasen, oikealle, illatiivi (illative case).