puhuakseen

Puhuakseen is a Finnish word that functions as a clitic, a morpheme that has phonetic word status but is phonologically bound to another word. It is a passive participle in the third infinitive form, derived from the verb puhua, meaning "to speak." When attached to a preceding word, typically a verb, it conveys the sense of "in order to speak" or "for the purpose of speaking."

The construction is common in spoken Finnish and can add nuance to sentences. For example, if someone says "Hän tuli sinne puhuakseen," it translates to "He came there in order to speak." The clitic nature means it is not a standalone word but rather attaches to the end of another word, often a verb expressing movement or arrival. This grammatical feature allows for a more compact and fluid expression of purpose compared to separate phrases. Understanding puhuakseen is important for comprehending the subtle ways Finnish expresses intent and purpose within sentence structure.