maalattua

Maalattua is a Finnish word that functions as the partitive singular form of the past passive participle of the verb maala- (to paint). It is used as an adjective describing something that has been painted, specifically in contexts where the noun it modifies is in the partitive case to indicate an indefinite amount or not fully specified quantity.

Etymology and form: The base is the verb maala- (to paint). The past passive participle is maalattu, meaning “painted.” When the noun is in the partitive case, the participle takes the partitive ending, yielding maalattua. In full inflection, the nominative singular is maalattu, the nominative plural maalatut, and the partitive plural maalattuja, with further forms for other cases.

Usage and examples: Maalattua is common in everyday Finnish to describe surfaces or materials that have been painted. Examples include: Ostan maalattua puuta. (I buy painted wood.) Se on maalattua metallia. (It is painted metal.) For definite objects, the nominative form maalattu may be used: Se on maalattu seinä. (The painted wall.) The choice between forms follows standard Finnish grammar for attributive participles.

Notes: As a past passive participle, maalattu agrees with the noun it describes in case, number, and definiteness. Its partitive form maalattua is frequently used with uncountable or partially indefinite objects. This word is not a standalone noun but a participial adjective that can function within noun phrases rather than as an independent term.