Sillä

Sillä is a Finnish word with several grammatical and discursive functions. It most commonly appears as the adessive form of the demonstrative pronoun se, meaning “on it,” “with it,” or “using it.” In this role, it marks instrument or means and can refer to a previously mentioned object or idea.

Etymology and forms: Sillä is derived from the demonstrative se combined with the adessive suffix -llä. As a result, it belongs to the same family as other adessive forms such as tässä, tuossa, and tuolla, but its primary function is to signal means or location in relation to a referent. It is a closed-set form and does not change for person or number, only for case.

Usage and examples: In the instrumental sense, sääntö-usage includes sentences like “Sillä kirjoitan tämän tekstin” meaning “I am writing this text with it.” The phrase can also occur in broader contexts to indicate manner or tool. Sillä välin is a common fixed expression meaning “in the meantime.” In spoken Finnish, sijoitettu as a conjunction-like function can introduce justification or reason in a way analogous to “because,” though more formal or standard Finnish would typically use koska or siksi. For example, “En tullut, sillä minulla oli kiire.” This usage is frequent in everyday speech, but tone and register should be considered, as it can sound casual or regional.

Relation to other forms: Sillä contrasts with här and sillä by pointing to a specific instrument or referent rather than to a broader demonstrative. It is often found in written Finnish as well, especially in descriptive or narrative passages where a prior item is being referenced as the means of action.

See also: Finnish grammar, demonstratives, adessive case.