partitiivissa

Partitiivissa is a Finnish grammatical term used to describe a noun or pronoun that is inflected in the partitive case, or more broadly the partitive case itself in linguistic discussion. The expression is formed by referring to the partitiivi (the partitive) and adding the inessive suffix -ssa, and it is commonly employed in grammars and study texts to indicate “in the partitive.” For example, in the sentence Ostan maitoa, the word maitoa is in the partitive; similarly, in En syön omenaa, omenaa is in partitive.

The partitive case has several functions in Finnish grammar. It often marks an indefinite quantity or a partial object, and it is frequently used with verbs and in contexts that express non-complete or non-defined amounts. It also appears after negation in many constructions, and with certain verbs and expressions that call for a non-absolute quantity. The partitive thus contrasts with other cases such as the nominative or genitive, and its use depends on the meaning of the sentence, the noun’s mass or count status, and the surrounding verbs and predicates.

Common illustrative uses include expressing an indefinite amount (vähän vettä, paljon soppaa), marking objects under negation (En syö leipää), and handling mass-noun or uncountable substances (maitoa, vettä). In teaching and reference works, partitiivissa is used as a shorthand to indicate that a noun is in the partitive case in examples and exercises, helping learners distinguish case forms and their functions within Finnish grammar. See also Partitiivi, Finnish grammar.