infintiivi

Infinitiivi is the non-finite verb form in Finnish that names an action without specifying a subject or a tense. It functions much like infinitives in many languages and is used in a variety of constructions, such as after auxiliary verbs, to express purpose, and to form non-finite clauses.

The present active infinitive is the most common form. It names an action in a general sense and is the base form of the verb. Examples include lukea (to read) and kirjoittaa (to write). This infinitive can appear after modal verbs or adjectives and in clauses that express purpose or intention, for example: Haluan lukea. On tärkeää lukea. For purpose, Finnish often uses the -maan/-mään suffix: menen opiskelemaan (I go to study).

There is also the passive infinitive, used to express actions in a passive voice within non-finite clauses. It is formed with endings such as -ttava/-ttävä in many verb families, and a typical example is kirjoitettava, as in Se on kirjoitettava pian (It must be written soon). This form often occurs in instructional or formal language.

In addition, Finnish has other non-finite forms related to infinitives that express aspects like completed actions relative to another event. These forms are more common in written, literary, or formal language, and they typically involve the auxiliary olla (to be) plus a past participle or specific participial endings, for example: pitäisi olla kirjoittanut (should have written) or ollessa kirjoitettu (having been written).

Notes for learners: The present active infinitive is the most essential non-finite form in everyday Finnish, while the passive infinitive and the completed-action forms appear in more specialized or formal contexts. Understanding their general uses helps in parsing and constructing non-finite clauses and purpose expressions.