kentälle

Kentälle is a Finnish directional phrase formed from the noun kenttä (field) plus the allative suffix -lle, meaning “to the field” or “onto the field.” It is used to indicate movement toward a location and is commonly heard in sports and other contexts where a destination is specified. The phrase can refer to a playing field, a sports complex, or any field-like area.

Grammatical notes: In Finnish, the suffix -lle marks the allative case, indicating direction toward a place. This is different from the illative form, which would express movement into the interior of a place (for kenttä, that form would be kenttään). Kenttä itself means a field, such as a football field (jalkapallokenttä), an athletics field (yleisurheilukenttä), or a generic outdoor field. Together, kentälle signals arrival at the field as a destination.

Usage: Kentälle appears in sentences with verbs of movement, for example Menen kentälle (I am going to the field). In sports contexts, it is often used to summon players to enter the field, such as Valmentaja huusi: Kentälle! (The coach shouted: To the field!). Beyond sports, it can describe traveling toward any field or playing area, including agricultural or other open spaces.

See also: Finnish grammar, allative case, kenttä (field), illative case kenttään.