itsessäkään

Itsessäkään is a Finnish word that functions as an adverbial particle or a clitic. It is formed by combining the pronoun "itse" (self) with the illative case suffix "-ssä" (in) and the clitic "-kään" (also, even). The word literally translates to "in oneself also" or "even in oneself."

The primary function of itsessäkään is to add emphasis or a sense of inclusion to the preceding statement. It suggests that something is true or applicable not just externally or in other contexts, but also internally or within the subject's own being. It often implies a degree of surprise or a realization that the condition extends to the self.

For example, in a sentence like "Hän ei uskonut onneensa, ei edes itsessäkään" (He did not believe in his luck, not even in himself), itsessäkään highlights that the disbelief extended to his own capabilities or fortune. It can also be used to express that a solution or cause is found within the person.

The use of itsessäkään is common in spoken and written Finnish, contributing to the nuanced expression of thought and feeling. It is a grammatical feature that adds a layer of internal reflection or shared experience to a statement.