määritteelliset

Määritteelliset is a Finnish term that translates to "qualitative" or "attributive" in English, often used in the context of linguistics and grammar. It refers to words that describe or modify a noun, providing information about its qualities or characteristics. These words are typically adjectives, but the concept can extend to other parts of speech that function attributively.

In Finnish grammar, määritteelliset elements are those that answer questions like "what kind?" or "which one?" about a noun. For example, in the sentence "punainen talo" (red house), "punainen" (red) is a määritteellinen element that describes the color of the house. Similarly, possessive suffixes or demonstrative pronouns can also function attributively, specifying possession or demonstrative identification.

The grammatical function of a määritteellinen word is to add descriptive detail, narrowing down or elaborating on the meaning of the noun it modifies. This contrasts with predicative adjectives, which describe the subject of a sentence after a linking verb (e.g., "Talo on punainen" - The house is red). The distinction is important in understanding sentence structure and the role of different word classes in Finnish. The term is fundamental to analyzing the descriptive power and grammatical relationships within Finnish sentences.