partitiivisessa

Partitiivisessa is a grammatical expression in Finnish that describes something related to the partitive case. The word partitiivisessa is the inessive form of the adjective partitiivinen and is commonly used in discussions about how the partitive case functions in sentences, for example in phrases like “partitiivisessa käytössä,” meaning “in the partitive usage.”

The partitive case marks incomplete, nonspecific, or non-total quantities rather than a definite whole. It is used for objects that are not treated as complete wholes, in negative clauses, and with verbs implying ongoing actions or partial consumption. It often contrasts with the accusative or nominative when the speaker wants to emphasize non-finality, partiality, or indeterminacy. For mass or uncountable items, the partitive is typically used even when the quantity is not specified, such as with liquids or substances.

Common uses include: indicating an indefinite amount of a thing, especially with the verb in a non-affirmative sense; expressing ongoing or repeated actions; and marking objects that are not fully consumed or completed. In everyday Finnish, many verbs that describe consumption, desire, or perception take a partitive object, while negation frequently triggers the partitive as well.

Examples illustrate these points: Syön omenaa. (I am eating an apple / some apples.) En syö omenaa. (I do not eat an apple.) Juon kahvia. (I drink coffee.) En juo kahvia. (I do not drink coffee.) Tarvitsen rahaa. (I need money.) Vettä on paljon. (There is a lot of water.)

Understanding partitiivisessa helps explain why certain nouns appear in -a/-ä forms or other partitive endings in these contexts.