metrejä

Metrejä is the partitive plural form of metri, the Finnish word for the unit of length meter. In Finnish, metri is used to express physical length and distance, and it has several inflectional forms including metrit (nominative plural) and metrejä (partitive plural). The partitive plural metrejä appears in contexts describing an indefinite or non-countable amount of meters, or when the measurement is described in a general sense.

Usage and examples:

- When giving an exact quantity with a numeral, Finnish typically uses the partitive singular: kolme metriä, viisi metriä. For example, Ostan kolme metriä kangasta means I buy three meters of fabric.

- Metrejä is common in phrases that emphasize an undetermined or plural quantity, such as useita metrejä, paljon metrejä, or monia metrejä. For instance, Lankaa on vielä useita metrejä indicates there are several metres of yarn left.

- In broader statements about length, metrejä can refer to multiple measured spans or lengths, as in reitit ovat useita metrejä pitkiä.

Etymology and context:

- The unit metre is part of the metric system and is integrated into Finnish as metri. The plural form metrejä follows Finnish inflection patterns for nouns ending in -ri, producing partitive plural metrejä in appropriate contexts. The spelling and pronunciation align with Finnish phonology.

Notes:

- The contrast with metriä (partitive singular) is common in measurements: numerals expressing exact amounts typically require metriä, while non-specific quantities or descriptions of multiple lengths often use metrejä.

- Metrejä is primarily a measurement noun used in everyday language, engineering, textiles, construction, and other contexts where lengths in metres are discussed.