Yksikköillatiivi

Yksikköillatiivi, often translated as the singular allative case, is a grammatical case found in some Finno-Ugric languages, most notably Finnish. It marks the destination or direction of movement towards something, specifically when the noun in question is in the singular form. This case is distinct from the plural allative, which indicates movement towards multiple entities.

In Finnish, the singular allative case is typically formed by adding the suffix -lle to the noun stem. For example, the word "talo" (house) in the allative singular becomes "talolle," meaning "to the house." This case conveys a sense of arrival or directed motion towards a specific singular object or location.

The singular allative can also be used in a more abstract sense, indicating purpose or reason, similar to how English might use "for." For instance, "työlle" can mean "for work" or "to work," implying the purpose of an action. Understanding the distinction between singular and plural allative forms is crucial for accurate grammatical construction in languages that utilize this case system. The singular allative emphasizes a singular destination, differentiating it from broader directional or plural notions.