pienille

Pienille is the Finnish allative plural form of the adjective pieni, meaning “to/for the small ones.” It functions as an indirect object marker indicating the beneficiaries or recipients of an action. The form is used with nouns referring to things or beings that are small or young, such as children or young animals, and it is not a standalone noun but a grammatical form.

Formation and usage

The allative suffix -lle attaches to the stem pien-, yielding pienille. It often appears with an explicit or implied noun in plural contexts, for example pienille lapsille (to/for the little ones, i.e., children). It can be used with phrases where the referent is understood from context, or with additional qualifying words to specify the recipient group.

Common contexts

- Products, services, or activities aimed at children: pienille tarkoitetut tuotteet (products intended for the little ones).

- Descriptions of events or materials designed for young audiences: juhlissa on tehtävä pienille (the event is designed for the little ones).

- General statements about distribution or guidance to beneficiaries: lahjoitukset jaetaan pienille (donations are given to the little ones).

Examples

- Tämä kirja on pienille. Translation: This book is for the little ones.

- Leikkikenttä on pienille suunniteltu turvalliseksi. Translation: The playground is designed for the little ones.

- Pienille tarkoitetut lelut löytyvät tästä hyllystä. Translation: The toys intended for the small ones are found on this shelf.

See also

Pienille is part of Finnish case and adjective-inflection systems; it illustrates the allative case used to indicate direction toward or benefit to plural recipients.