kiitoksena

Kiitoksena is a Finnish grammatical form built from the noun kiitos, meaning thanks, with the translative suffix -na/-nä. The word functions as a prepositional-like construction that means “as thanks” or “as a token of appreciation.” It is used to express the purpose or function of an action or object in relation to gratitude.

In use, kiitoksena introduces a phrase that states what the action or item is intended to convey gratitude for. The construction is common in formal or written Finnish, including acknowledgments, official statements, reports, and literary prose. It often precedes a noun phrase or clause that specifies the reason for thanks or the recipient of gratitude. As a result, kiitoksena can appear in sentences that describe gifts, recognitions, or acts undertaken to show appreciation.

Typical patterns include kiitoksena saamastaan avusta or kiitoksena tästä teosta, followed by the main clause that describes the outcome, such as receiving a reward, recognition, or a gesture. Because kiitoksena is a fixed expression, it is generally used in contexts where the gratitude is being explicitly acknowledged and attributed to a particular cause.

Etymologically, kiitoksena reflects a broader Finnish tendency to express purpose or role through the translative case, linking gratitude to the action or thing that elicits it. It is distinct from simply saying “thanks” and serves to frame gratitude as a functional role of what is described.