infinitiiviliitteet

Infinitiiviliitteet are suffixes in Finnish that attach to verb stems to form the infinitive. Finnish has two main infinitive forms, each with its own characteristic suffix. The first infinitive, often used for actions that are ongoing or habitual, is formed by adding the suffix -a or -ä to the verb stem. The choice between -a and -ä depends on vowel harmony, with -a used after back vowels (a, o, u) and -ä after front vowels (ä, ö, y). For example, "tulla" (to come) uses -a after the stem "tul-", while "sydä" (to feel) uses -ä after the stem "sydä-".

The second infinitive, typically used for future actions or commands, is formed by adding the suffix -i to the verb stem. This infinitive form also undergoes vowel harmony adjustments and can appear in various forms depending on the verb's conjugation and the context. For instance, "mennä" (to go) becomes "mennä" in the first infinitive and "mennä" in its basic second infinitive form, though it can appear as "menevä" in certain constructions. The second infinitive often expresses a sense of obligation or a future intention. These infinitives are crucial for constructing complex sentences and expressing a wide range of verbal meanings in Finnish.