kolme

Kolme is the Finnish word for the number three and functions as a cardinal numeral. It is used to count objects and to indicate a quantity in everyday language, mathematics, and measurements. In Finnish, kolmet forms appear in compounds such as kolmekymmentä (thirty) and kolmesataa (three hundred).

Etymology and cognates: Kolme comes from the Finnic language family and has cognates in closely related languages, such as Estonian kolm. The form reflects typical Finnic numeral patterns, with trilateral roots that evolve in different grammars across cases and numbers.

Grammar and usage: In noun phrases, kolme typically accompanies a noun in a case form appropriate to counting. Common examples include kolme kirjoja (three books) and kolme ihmistä (three people). Finnish numerals decline with the sentence’s case and number, and kolmen is the genitive form used to express ‘of three’ or similar constructions. The cardinal three also participates in forming ordinal and compound numbers, such as kolmas (third) and kolmekymmentä (thirty).

Forms and variation: Finnish numerals between one and nine are highly regular in their use with nouns, but the noun’s ending changes according to case. The numeral itself remains relatively stable, while the associated noun adapts. Kolme is also used with verbs to express frequency or duration, as in kolmekertaa (three times) in certain expressions.

See also: Finnish numerals; Estonian numerals; Finnish grammar; Ordinal numbers in Finnish.