sellaiset

Sellaiset is a Finnish demonstrative word that functions as both an adjective and a pronoun, meaning “such” or “that kind of” when referring to plural nouns. It is the plural form of sellainen and is used to indicate things described or understood from context. It contrasts with singular forms like sellainen (“that kind of”) and with other demonstratives such as tällainen (“this kind”) and tuollainen (“that kind, over there”).

In Finnish grammar, sellaiset is declined to agree with the noun in number and case, just like ordinary adjectives. For example, it appears in phrases such as sellaiset ihmiset (such people) in the nominative plural, or sellaisia ihmisiä in the partitive plural. The word can also appear in various cases to align with the sentence structure, and it combines with nouns to specify a described type rather than naming a specific item.

Usage and nuance: sellaiset is common in everyday language and can introduce generalizations or examples, as in discussing observations, experiences, or hypothetical scenarios. It can carry a neutral or slightly informal tone, depending on context. The word is often preferred when the speaker refers to multiple examples of a described kind rather than to a single instance.

See also: the related demonstratives tällainen (this kind) and tuollainen (that kind/over there), as well as the plural forms tällaiset and tuollaiset for parallel constructions.

References: Finnish grammar resources on demonstratives and adjective declension.