käteen

käteen is a Finnish word that translates to "into the hand" or "to the hand." It is a case ending, specifically the allative case, and is used to indicate movement towards or into something. For instance, when one says "laita kirja käteen" (put the book into the hand), "käteen" signifies the destination of the book. The allative case in Finnish is generally formed by adding the suffix "-lle" to the noun. However, "käteen" is a specific form of the word "käsi" (hand) that incorporates this allative function. It can also be used idiomatically, for example, "ottaa jokin käteen" means to take something into one's hand, often implying taking responsibility or starting a task. The word itself is a fundamental part of Finnish grammar, essential for expressing directional movement and possession in many contexts. Understanding its usage is key to comprehending Finnish sentence structure and meaning, particularly when discussing actions involving physical objects or abstract concepts that can be metaphorically "held."