sillainen

Sillainen is a Finnish word that translates to "what kind of" or "which kind of" in English. It is an interrogative pronoun used to inquire about the nature, type, or quality of something. The word is formed by combining the demonstrative pronoun "se" (it/that) with the interrogative suffix "-lainen" which indicates a kind or type. Therefore, literally, it asks about "that kind of."

Sillainen can be used in various contexts. For example, when asking about a person's appearance, one might ask "Sillainen hän on?" meaning "What does he/she look like?" or "What kind of person is he/she?" When discussing objects or concepts, it can be used to seek clarification on their characteristics, such as "Sillainen kirja se oli?" which translates to "What kind of book was it?"

The word is also used to express surprise or curiosity about something unusual or noteworthy. In such instances, it can convey a sense of wonder or slight disbelief. The grammatical form of sillainen can change depending on the case and number of the noun it modifies, although in its basic interrogative use, it is often seen in its nominative singular form. Its versatility makes it a common and essential part of the Finnish lexicon for forming questions about identity and classification.