kokeneemmilta

Kokeneemmilta is a Finnish phrase that translates roughly to “from the more experienced ones.” It is used to indicate the source of information, advice, or testimony, emphasizing the authority or credibility that comes from experience rather than age or position alone.

Linguistic formation and function: The expression is built from the comparative adjective kokeneempi, meaning “more experienced,” in its plural elative form kokeneemmilta, which marks origin or source. In sentences, kokeneemmilta typically accompanies a noun phrase that denotes what is being sourced, such as advice or lessons learned. It functions as a source marker rather than as a standalone noun or verb.

Usage examples:

- Kokeneemmilta kuullut neuvot ovat arvokkaat. (The advice heard from the more experienced ones is valuable.)

- Kokeneemmilta saadut vinkit auttoivat meitä. (Tips obtained from the more experienced ones helped us.)

The phrase is common in both informal and formal Finnish, including workplaces, education, mentoring, and peer discussions.

Etymology and related forms: Kokeneemmilta derives from kokeneempi (more experienced) with the elative plural suffix -ilta/-ilta, which signals origin. Related constructions include other elative-origin phrases such as from older or more seasoned sources, using the same grammatical pattern with different base adjectives or nouns.

See also: Finnish grammar, elative case, comparative forms, source constructions.

References: Standard Finnish grammar resources cover the use of elative forms to indicate origin, including examples with adjectives in comparative degrees.