Toiveensa

Toiveensa is a Finnish noun phrase formed from the noun toive (wish) together with the third-person possessive suffix -nsä (also realized as -nsa in some contexts). The combination yields a form meaning his/her/its/their wish, with the exact possessor determined by context. It is a standard example of Finnish possessive morphology and is used in both written and spoken language.

Morphology and usage: In Finnish, possessive suffixes attach directly to a noun to indicate ownership. The third-person possessive suffix -nsä/-nsä is used for he, she, it, or they, depending on the referent in the sentence. When combined with toive, the result is toiveensa, signaling that the speaker is referring to someone’s wish. Context usually clarifies whether the possessive belongs to a singular (his/her/its) or plural (their) subject.

Common uses include expressions like “toiveensa täyttää” (to fulfill his/her/its/their wish) and “toiveensa mukaan” (according to his/her/its/their wish). The form is neutral in tone and is widely used in everyday Finnish, journalism, and literature alike. The exact interpretation of ownership is usually resolved by the surrounding pronouns or nouns.

Examples:

- Hän kertoi täyttävänsä toiveensa. (He said he would fulfill his wish.)

- Toiveensa mukaan ohjelma rakennetettiin. (According to his/her/its/their wish, the program was built.)

See also: toive (wish); Finnish possessive suffixes; Finnish grammar.