Vähenevänä

Vähenevänä is a Finnish word-form that functions as the essive form of the adjective vähenevä, meaning decreasing or diminishing. In Finnish grammar, the essive case denotes a temporary state or role and is typically formed by adding the suffix -na or -nä to the stem. For adjectives, this yields forms such as vihreänä (as green) or vähenevänä (in a decreasing state). The use of the essive emphasizes that the described state is temporary or context-dependent.

Usage and nuance: Vähenevänä describes something that is currently characterized by a decreasing trend or amount. It is common in written Finnish, particularly in scientific, economic, statistical, or linguistic texts where a condition or trajectory is described as ongoing or transitional. The form helps convey that the decrease is observed in a specific period or under particular circumstances, rather than being a permanent attribute.

Relation to other forms: The essive form contrasts with other cases that express permanence, location, or agency. It is closely related to other essive adjectives and to the broader芬Finnish system of describing states or roles, such as vanhana (as old) or vihreänä (as green), depending on the base adjective.

See also: Finnish grammar, essive case, -na/-nä suffixes, adjective declension, declining trends in statistical writing.

Example: Tulot ovat vähenevänä trendinä viime vuosina. This illustrates how the essive form can express that the incomes are described as being on a decreasing trend.