Partatiivinen

Partatiivinen is the Finnish term for partitive, a grammatical category used to express partiality, indefinite quantity, or ongoing actions. In Finnish grammar, partatiivinen describes the partitive case and the meanings it conveys in sentences. The concept is central to how Finnish marks objects and quantities, and it appears in explanations of verb aspect, quantity expressions, and noun inflection.

Uses and meanings. The partitive signals that the object is not treated as a whole or definite entity, often indicating an incomplete or non-specific amount. It is common with mass nouns and with verbs in the imperfective aspect, where the action is viewed as ongoing or not fully completed. It also occurs in negative clauses, where the object typically appears in the partitive. Examples such as taking or wanting “kahvia” (coffee) or describing “vettä” (water) illustrate how the partitive marks indefinite or partial content.

Morphology and distribution. The partitive form is realized through suffixes that vary by stem class and vowel harmony, with common endings such as -a/-ä and -ta/-tä, among others. The exact form depends on the noun’s shape and the surrounding phonology. Finnish also uses the partitive after numerals and quantifiers, with the form adapting to each noun. The partitive thus interacts with stem changes and consonant gradation, making its application a key aspect of Finnish inflection.

Related terms and overview. Partitive usage is described in contrast to the nominative/accusative or other cases, highlighting how meaning shifts with aspect, quantity, or negation. For broader context, see Partitiivi (the noun case), Finnish grammar, and inflection patterns in Finnic languages.