kohinalla

Kohinalla is the adessive singular form of the Finnish noun kohina, which denotes noise, din or bustle. In Finnish grammar, the adessive case (ending -lla) can mark instrument, manner, or the setting in which something occurs. Thus kohinalla literally means "with the noise" or "in the noise" and is used to describe the presence of noise as a circumstance surrounding an action or event.

Usage: The expression is most common in descriptive prose and journalistic writing when an atmosphere of commotion is relevant. It is less frequent in everyday speech, where speakers typically use phrases such as kohina kuului or kohinan keskellä. Kohinalla often appears in constructions that emphasize milieu or mood, for example to convey that an activity continued under conditions of noise or distraction. It can also function metaphorically to signal tumult or public attention surrounding a subject.

Etymology: The word derives from kohina, itself from older Finnish forms related to "noise." The suffix -lla marks the adessive case, indicating accompaniment or setting rather than a direct action.

See also: kohina, melu, äänimaailma.