tähjana

Tähjana is a term that appears in discussions of Finnish grammar as the essive form of the noun tähti, meaning star. The essive case in Finnish expresses a temporary state or role, often translated into English with the word as. In standard Finnish, the common singular form for this meaning is tähtenä, used in sentences such as Hän toimii tähtenä elokuvassa (He acts as a star in the movie). The essive can be used with various nouns to indicate acting in a particular role or state.

The form tähjana is not a standard or widely accepted spelling in contemporary Finnish. It can be encountered as a nonstandard variant, a dialectal pronunciation, or a typographical error in informal writing. In most written Finnish, tähtenä is preferred for the singular, with other variants arising mainly in dialects or poetic usage. As a linguistic case, the essive is a grammatical tool that enables a speaker to describe someone or something in a temporary role or state, such as occupation, identity, or function, within a broader sentence.

In practical terms, tähjana, when encountered, is typically explained as a nonstandard form rather than a main dictionary entry. Its existence highlights how the essive case functions in Finnish to express “as” and how standard orthography guides everyday usage. For learners, focusing on tähtenä (singular) and tähtinä or tähteinä (plural, in appropriate contexts) provides a reliable basis for mastering the essive. See also Finnish grammar, the essive case, and noun inflection in Finnish.