Päätteensa

Päätteensa is a Finnish suffix that indicates possession by a third person, singular or plural. It is formed by adding the possessive suffix -nsa or -nsä to a noun. The choice between -nsa and -nsa depends on vowel harmony. For example, talo (house) becomes talonsa (his/her/its/their house), and kirja (book) becomes kirjansa (his/her/its/their book).

The päätteensa suffix is used in various grammatical contexts. It can indicate ownership, for instance, in phrases like "hänen autonsa" (his car) or "heidän talonsa" (their house). It can also denote a part of something, such as "ovenkahva" (door handle), where "kahva" (handle) is a part of the "ovi" (door). In some cases, it can refer to a relationship, as in "isänsä" (his/her father).

The use of päätteensa is mandatory when referring to a third-person possessor and the noun is the subject or object of the sentence. However, if the possessor is explicitly stated with a personal pronoun, the possessive suffix can sometimes be omitted for emphasis or stylistic reasons, though this is less common. Understanding the nuances of päätteensa is crucial for comprehending and constructing grammatically correct Finnish sentences, particularly when dealing with possession involving a third party.