kotimaata

Kotimaata is a Finnish noun referring to the homeland or home country. It is formed from koti ("home") and maa ("land"), with kotimaa as the dictionary form. The form kotimaata is the partitive singular, used in contexts where the homeland is described as an indefinite, non-definite object or experience, for example: Rakastan kotimaata (I love the homeland).

In Finnish grammar, the partitive case is commonly used with verbs of feeling, perception, or partial reference, which makes kotimaata a frequent object when speaking about belonging or sentiment toward one's homeland. This usage highlights the emotional or experiential aspect of the concept rather than a concrete or legal status.

In usage, kotimaa denotes the place of origin, cultural belonging, and national identity. It is common in poetry, songs, and political rhetoric to evoke affection for nature, language, and community. The concept also appears in discussions of migration and diaspora, where a person’s sense of kotimaa may extend beyond present citizenship or geographic location.

Kotimaa is not a legal term; it describes emotional or cultural belonging rather than formal rights or statuses. Legal and civic distinctions are expressed with other vocabulary, such as references to citizenship and state structure, rather than the cultural idea of the homeland.

See also

- Kotimaa (Finnish concept of homeland)

- Suomi

- National identity in Finland

- Emigration and diaspora in Finnish culture