puolellani

Puolellani is a Finnish phrase meaning “on my side” or “in my favor,” used to indicate support or advantage in a discussion, argument, or situation. It can also be understood literally as “at my side” in a physical sense, though its common usage is idiomatic.

Etymology and construction: the form is built from the noun puoli (side) with the locative suffix -lla to mean “on/at the side,” combined with the first-person possessive suffix -ni, yielding puolellani. This construction signals that the speaker has support or a favorable position in the matter at hand.

Usage: puolellani is typically used in declarative sentences about stance in a given issue. Examples include: “Se on puolellani tässä asiassa,” meaning “That is on my side in this matter.” “Puolellani on todisteita,” meaning “I have evidence on my side.” “Hänen tuki on puolellani,” meaning “Her support is on my side.” The phrase is common in conversation, debates, legal contexts, and political discourse, as well as in literary or rhetorical style.

Nuance and related forms: puolellani emphasizes positional support rather than neutral balance. It can be contrasted with phrases like puolella (on the side of) used more generally, or with puolestani (on my behalf). While puolellani focuses on the speaker’s side, it can be extended to refer to a group or ally whose support benefits the speaker.

See also: puoli, puolelta, puolelle, puolestani.