kapeilla

Kapeilla is the plural adessive form of the Finnish adjective kapea, which means narrow. In Finnish, adjectives decline to agree with the noun in number and case, and the adessive plural suffix -illa/-illä marks location on or with multiple objects. Thus kapeilla describes something that is narrow when referring to several items.

The form is typically used in phrases where a plural noun is implied or stated, for example with teillä (on roads), käytävillä (in corridors), or paikoilla (in places). Common usages include kapeilla teillä meaning “on narrow roads,” kapeilla käytävillä meaning “in narrow corridors,” and kapeilla keinoilla meaning “by narrow means.” In these cases the adjective modifies the plural noun and the overall meaning centers on spatial or instrumental narrowness.

Kapeilla is a productive part of Finnish grammar for descriptive writing and spatial description. It is most natural in contexts involving multiple objects or locations that are narrow in size or width. As with other Finnish adjectives, it should be placed before the noun it modifies, and its form changes to match the noun’s number and case. While it can be found in everyday language, it is particularly common in descriptive or technical prose where precise measurements or constraints are emphasized.

See also: Finnish language, adjectives, Finnish grammar, adessive case.