määräty

Määräty is a Finnish grammatical concept. It translates roughly to "definite" or "specified." This grammatical feature applies to nouns, pronouns, and adjectives, indicating that the speaker or writer is referring to a particular, known entity rather than a general or unspecified one. The definite form is often marked by specific suffixes attached to the word.

In Finnish, the definite article is not a separate word like "the" in English. Instead, the definiteness is expressed through morphology. For example, the accusative case of a noun has a different form when it is definite. This distinction is crucial for conveying precise meaning and avoiding ambiguity in sentences.

Understanding määräty is essential for mastering Finnish grammar. It influences verb agreement and the overall structure of sentences. While English relies on articles and context to indicate definiteness, Finnish uses a more integrated system that merges this concept into the word itself. This can be challenging for learners but is a fundamental aspect of the language's grammatical system.