Silmälaseilla

Silmälaseilla is the adessive plural form of the Finnish noun silmälasit, meaning eyeglasses. The word is used to indicate the means or instrument by which an action is performed, and can be translated as “with eyeglasses” or “by eyeglasses.” In Finnish, the adessive form is commonly used to express that something is done using the glasses.

Etymology and structure: Silmälasit is a compound noun formed from silmä (eye) and lasi (glass). The base plural is silmälasit, and the adessive plural form silmälaseilla is created by adding the -lla suffix, signaling instrument or means in many contexts. The construction mirrors other Finnish phrases that denote method, such as kirjoittaa kynällä (to write with a pen) or ajaa autolla (to drive with a car), where the instrument or means is highlighted.

Usage: Silmälaseilla is used when describing actions performed with eyeglasses as the tool or means. Examples include: Hän näkee paremmin silmälaseilla. (He sees better with eyeglasses.) Luen lehden silmälaseilla. (I read the newspaper with eyeglasses.) The form emphasizes the use of glasses as an aid or instrument. It is less commonly used to describe mere wearing; for wearing, speakers more often use phrases like silmälasit päällä or silmälasit ovat päällä, or possessive forms such as silmälasiani.

See also: Silmälasit (eyeglasses), Finnish grammar on adessive case, instrumental expressions in Finnish.