säiliönä

Säiliönä is the essive form of the Finnish noun säiliö, meaning “as a container” or “in the role of a container.” The word is used to describe something that functions, or is intended to function, as a container in a given situation.

In Finnish, the essive case expresses a temporary state, role or function. Therefore säiliönä is typically used with verbs like olla (to be) or to describe how an object is used. It contrasts with the translative form säiliöksi, which expresses change of state or a goal, such as becoming a container or being described as a container in a different sense. For example, voidaan sanoa: “Se toimii säiliönä.” (It functions as a container.) and “Laitteen säiliönä käytettävä osa on eristetty.” (The part used as a container in the device is insulated.)

Examples and usage notes:

- Se toimii säiliönä nesteelle. (It serves as a container for the liquid.)

- Säiliönä käytettävä osa on valmistettu muovista. (The part to be used as a container is made of plastic.)

- Siksi kirjoituksessa voidaan käyttää säiliönä kuvaukset valmiista järjestelmästä. (In the text, descriptions of the finished system can be used as a container metaphorically, as a role.)

Säiliönä is common in technical, industrial and descriptive Finnish to indicate function or form in a given context. Related forms include säiliöksi (translative: into a container) and other essive usages with different root nouns. See also essive case, translative case.