Passiivimuotoinen

Passiivimuotoinen is a Finnish grammatical term referring to the passive voice. In Finnish, the passive voice is used to describe an action where the subject of the sentence is acted upon, rather than performing the action. This contrasts with the active voice, where the subject actively performs the verb.

The passive voice in Finnish is typically formed using the passive participle of the verb combined with the appropriate form of the auxiliary verb 'olla' (to be). Alternatively, a special passive form of the verb exists, often ending in -taan or -tään, which can be used without an auxiliary verb in certain contexts.

One of the key features of the Finnish passive voice is its ability to function as a general or impersonal statement. It is frequently used when the performer of the action is unknown, unimportant, or deliberately omitted. For example, instead of saying "Someone built this house" (active), one might say "This house was built" (passive).

The passive voice in Finnish is versatile and appears in various tenses and moods. It plays a significant role in formal writing, news reporting, and everyday conversation, contributing to a nuanced expression of agency and responsibility within a sentence. Understanding the passive voice is crucial for comprehending Finnish grammar and effectively communicating in the language.