naapureina

Naapureina is a Finnish linguistic form that expresses the sense “as neighbors” or “in the role of neighbors.” It is derived from the noun naapuri (neighbor) and is used with plural subjects in sentences that describe a state or role of people acting as neighbors. In Finnish grammar, the essive case marks states of being or temporary roles, and naapureina represents the plural form of this case for naapuri. The term appears mainly in grammars, dictionaries, and language-learning materials as an example of Finnish case morphology rather than as an independent lexical item.

Usage of naapureina is uncommon in everyday speech and is primarily encountered in instructional contexts that illustrate how the essive case functions with plural nouns. It is of interest to students of Finnish for understanding number agreement and role marking, rather than as a concept with a separate meaning beyond its grammatical function. Because it is a grammatical form, naapureina does not denote a specific entity, organization, or place.

Relationship to related forms: the singular counterpart is naapurina, meaning “as a neighbor.” Naapureina is part of the broader system of essive forms used to indicate roles or states in Finnish, alongside other nouns that form similar plural essive constructions.

See also: Finnish grammar, Essive case, Naapuri.