kohdetta

Kohdetta is the partitive singular form of the Finnish noun kohde, which generally means target, object, or focus. In Finnish grammar, words change form to indicate case and number, and the partitive case is used in several common contexts, including when the object is indefinite, when an action is ongoing or incomplete, or when negation is present. As a result, kohdetta appears most often as the direct object in sentences that require the partitive.

Etymology and form: The word kohde belongs to a class of Finnish nouns that take the partitive ending with the -tta suffix in the singular. The form kohdetta signals that the object is not definite or that the action is not fully completed. This form contrasts with nominative kohde (the subject or object in a definite sense) and other cases such as kohteen (genitive) or kohteita (partitive plural).

Usage and examples: Commonly, kohdetta is used in sentences describing a target or object of study, observation, or action. Examples include En näe kohdetta (“I do not see the target/object”) and Kohdetta tutkitaan markkinatutkimuksessa (“The target/object is studied in market research”). It can also appear in passive or ongoing actions, as in Kohdetta tutkitaan, which conveys “The target is being studied.”

Semantic range: While primarily meaning an object or target, kohde can refer to physical objects, goals in a project, or subjects of research. The specific meaning of kohdetta is determined by context and the accompanying verb.

See also: Kohde; Partitive case; Finnish grammar.