Tarvitsemiaan

Tarvitsemiaan is a Finnish non-finite verb form derived from tarvita, meaning to need. It functions as a present‑active participle in a possessive, or participial, construction and is used to modify a noun to express “the things that are needed” or “the things that someone needs.” In practice it appears in noun phrases such as tarvitsemiaan asioita or tarvitsemiaan tarvikkeita, where the participial form supplies the meaning of necessity or requirement and the noun specifies what is needed.

Form and usage patterns. Tarvitsemiaan is a plural, participial form that agrees with the noun it modifies in number and case, while the overall sense centers on necessity from the perspective of the subject in the surrounding clause. The possessor (who needs the items) is understood from context; it can indicate “they need,” “we need,” or “I need” depending on the sentence. Because it is a non-finite form, tarvitsemiaan can appear in subordinate clauses or in noun phrases without introducing a finite verb.

Meaning and nuance. The word conveys a neutral sense of requirement or need, distinct from adjectives like tarpeellinen (necessary) which describe inherent importance rather than context-specific needs. Tarvitsemiaan emphasizes items or matters that are required in a particular situation, rather than universal necessity.

Examples.

- Heillä on tarvitsemiaan asioita. (They have the things they need.)

- Tarvitsemiani tarvikkeita ei ollut saatavilla. (The supplies I needed were not available.)

See also: tarvita, tarvitsee, tarvittavat, tarve.