rangaistukselle

Rangaistukselle is the allative form of the Finnish noun rangaistus, meaning punishment. In Finnish, the allative case, marked by the suffix -lle, indicates direction toward, attachment to, or the target of an action. Therefore rangaistukselle literally means “to the punishment” or “for the punishment,” depending on the context. It is a grammatical form rather than a separate concept and is most common in formal, legislative, or administrative language.

The form is used when the punishment is the object or target of a statement, rule, or condition. In legal or official texts it can denote the action is directed at the punishment itself or that something is defined or imposed in relation to the punishment. Because of its formal register, rangaistukselle appears less in everyday speech and more in documents that describe procedures, penalties, or criteria.

Examples of usage include: “Päätöksessä rangaistukselle asetettiin lisäedellytykset,” meaning that additional conditions were set for the punishment; and “Laki määrittelee kriteerit rangaistukselle,” meaning the law defines the criteria for the punishment. Both illustrate how the allative form links the action to the punishment as its target or scope.

Etymology-wise, rangaistus derives from Finnish roots for punishment, and the allative -lle is a standard case ending used to indicate direction or targeted reference. See also rangaistus, allatiivi (the allative case in Finnish grammar), and Finnish grammar terminology.