matkaan

Matkaan is a Finnish illative form of the noun matka, meaning a journey or trip. In Finnish grammar, matkaan is used to express movement toward starting a journey or being on its way. Depending on context, it can be translated as “on a journey” or “onto a journey.”

Matkaan commonly appears with verbs of motion or intention, such as lähteä (to leave) or mennä (to go). For example, Lähden matkaan huomenna means “I’m leaving for a journey tomorrow,” and Mennään matkaan is “Let’s go on a trip.” The form is not typically used as a standalone noun; rather, it functions as the illative case form of matka.

Etymology and grammar: matkaan is formed from the base matka with the illative suffix -an. The illative case in Finnish often conveys movement into or toward something, and matkaan expresses entering the course of a journey or the act of setting off.

Usage notes: Matkaan is most common in spoken Finnish and in phrases describing travel plans or departure. It contrasts with other case forms of matka, such as matkan (genitive) or matkaan’s counterparts in other cases like matkaa (partitive) or matkalle (allative), which serve different grammatical functions.

See also: Finnish language, Illative case, Matka (journey), Lähteä (to leave).