infinitiivimuoto

Infinitiivimuoto, or infinitive form, is the non-finite verb form used in Finnish to express actions without specifying a subject or tense. It serves as the base form of a verb and can function as a noun-like element, a complement to other verbs, or a component of non-finite clauses. The infinitive is often the dictionary form of the verb.

The most common form is the perusinfinitiivi, the basic infinitive, which in Finnish ends in -a or -ä. Examples: lukea (to read), syödä (to eat), kirjoittaa (to write). This form is used in many standard constructions, such as after modal verbs or auxiliaries (haluan lukea, minun täytyy kirjoittaa) and in subordinate clauses that do not show person or time.

A frequently encountered variant is the II-infinitiivi, which typically ends in -maan or -mään (for example lukemaan, syömään, kirjoittamaan). The II-infinitiivi is especially common when the infinitive expresses purpose or is used after verbs of motion or intention, as in Menen lukemaan or Menen kahvilaan juomaan kahvia (I am going to read; I am going to the cafe to drink coffee).

Infinitiivimuoto can also be nominalized to function as a noun, most often with the suffix -minen or -ttäminen, yielding forms like lukeminen (reading) or kirjoittaminen (writing). These derive abstract or generalized meanings of the action.

In summary, infinitiivimuoto is a versatile non-finite verb form central to Finnish syntax. It appears as the basic infinitive and its common variants, used to express actions independently of subject and time, to indicate purpose, and to form noun-like expressions.