päälle

Päälle is a Finnish postposition used to express positioning or movement onto the surface of something. It is commonly translated as “on top of” or “onto” in English, and it can mark both location (where something is) and direction (where something is moved).

In spatial expressions, päälle follows the noun in its genitive form to indicate the surface on which something rests or is placed. For example, kakun päälle means “on top of the cake,” and pöydän päälle means “on top of the table.” It is often used with verbs that describe placing, decorating, or topping something, as in laita keksin päälle, meaning “put the biscuit on top (of it).” It can also appear in phrases describing toppings for foods, drinks, or desserts.

Päälle is also used in phrases that mean to turn something on or activate it. For example, Laita valot päälle means “turn on the lights.” In this sense, päälle functions as part of a phrasal verb indicating activation.

Distinctions with related forms are subtle but present. Päälle expresses movement onto a surface or an added topping, whereas pääl‑ (in compounds or when used with other cases) can convey a static location on a surface. The form is a fixed postpositional element in Finnish grammar and is found across everyday language, from cooking instructions to instructions for operating devices.

Etymologically, päälle is linked to the concept of top or surface and has become a common, versatile postposition in modern Finnish usage.