nauloilla

Nauloilla is a Finnish word that can refer to nails in plural or to the plural adessive form of the noun naula, meaning nail. As a form of naula, nauloilla is used to indicate either that something is done with nails (instrumental/means) or that something is positioned or supported by nails (location). In everyday language, the most common sense is related to fastening or hanging with nails.

In Finnish grammar, naula is a singular noun, naulat is the plural nominative, and nauloilla is the plural adessive form. The adessive -lla/-llä denotes location or means, so nauloilla can mean “on nails” (as a surface) or “with nails” (as the method of attachment). The singular instrumental form is naulalla, used when describing a construction fastened with a single nail.

Usage examples include:

- Hylly on kiinnitetty nauloilla. (The shelf is fastened with nails.)

- Taulu roikkuu nauloilla. (The picture hangs on nails.)

- Se teetettiin naulalla. (It was fixed with a nail.) Note: the singular form naulalla is used for the instrument case with a single nail.

Etymology and related forms: nauloilla derives from naula, which comes from Proto-Finnic and is cognate with other Finno-Ugric terms for a metal fastener. Related words include naula (nail) and naulata (to nail).

See also: naula, naulata.