paljailla

Paljailla is a Finnish word that functions as the adessive plural form of the adjective paljas, meaning bare or naked. It is used in phrases that indicate location or state of exposure, often describing surfaces, bodies, or coverings without. In standard Finnish, paljailla combines with a noun in the adessive case to express “on bare [something]” or “bare [things],” and can occur in literal or figurative usage.

Etymology and morphology: The form paljailla derives from the root paljas and the adessive plural suffix -lla/-llä, which is used to indicate location or state relative to a plural noun. As a result, paljailla commonly appears in constructions with nouns such as varpaat (toes) or jalat (feet) to convey “on bare toes” or “on bare feet,” among other bare surfaces or features.

Usage: Paljailla appears in everyday Finnish to describe being without coverings or protection. An example is Kävelimme paljailla jaloilla, which translates to “We walked barefoot” or “We walked on bare feet.” Beyond literal meaning, paljailla can appear in literary or poetic contexts to evoke vulnerability, exposure, or simplicity.

See also: paljas, Finnish language, Finnish grammar, barefoot in cultural imagery.