puhtaana

Puhtaana is a Finnish word meaning “in a clean state” or “as clean.” It is the essive form of the adjective puhdas and is used to describe the current condition of a person, object, or place.

Etymology and grammar: Puhtaana is formed from puhdas (clean, pure) plus the essive suffix -na, which expresses a temporary state. The form is common in everyday speech and writing, especially in sentences that describe how something is at a given moment or how it should be kept. Examples include Pöytä on puhtaana (The table is clean) and Pidä kengät puhtaana (Keep the shoes clean).

Usage and nuance: Puhtaana emphasizes the state rather than the act of cleaning. It can describe physical cleanliness, the purity of materials, or a figurative sense of cleanliness or integrity in contexts such as hygiene, environment, or ethics. It appears in instructional language as well as in descriptive prose and poetry.

Related terms: The word is related to puhdas (clean/pure) and the noun puhtaus (cleanliness). Other related forms express similar states, such as puhtaana itseään koskevissa ilmaisuissa, and the term is commonly encountered in everyday Finnish.

See also: Puhdas, Puhtaus.