saatakseen

Saatakseen is the third infinitive active form of the Finnish verb saada, meaning to obtain or to be able to. The form is built from the verb stem saat- with the suffix -akseen. The third infinitive is used to express purpose or means, roughly equivalent to “in order to obtain” or “to be able to.” It commonly appears in written Finnish, especially in formal, legal, and literary styles, and in subordinate clauses where a purpose is stated.

In syntax, saatakseen often accompanies main verbs to indicate why an action is performed or what is sought as a consequence of the action. It can follow nouns or adjectives that denote aim, need, or intention, and it frequently occurs in constructions that express purpose or means in a precise, formal way. The form is characteristic of Finnish prose that aims at clarity and exactness, such as instructional texts, contractual language, and scholarly writing.

The third infinitive, including saatakseen, is one of several infinitive forms in Finnish grammar. It is distinguished from the first infinitive (the basic form used for most purposes) and other forms by its function in expressing purpose or means. While saatakseen is well established in standard Finnish, its use is more common in written and formal contexts and less frequent in casual, everyday speech.

See also Finnish grammar; Infinitives; Saada.