vahvalla

Vahvalla is a Finnish adessive form of the adjective vahva, meaning strong. In Finnish grammar, vahvalla is used to indicate that a person, argument, plan, or situation is on solid footing or supported by credible foundations. It commonly conveys confidence about a position, rather than physical strength alone, and appears in both everyday speech and formal writing.

Morphology and usage: The form is created by adding the adessive suffix -lla to the stem vahva. It functions as an adverbial or predicative element, often pairing with nouns such as pohja (ground, basis) or with the verb olla (to be). Common constructions include olla vahvalla pohjalla meaning “to be on solid ground” and tied expressions like tiedot ovat vahvalla pohjalla meaning “the information is on solid ground.” The expression can describe financial stability, credibility of an argument, or the viability of a plan.

Examples and nuance: In journalism and politics, vahvalla can imply that a claim is well supported by evidence. In business, it can indicate stable finances or a secure position in negotiations. The term emphasizes certainty and resilience rather than simple strength.

Related terms: The root vahva (strong) and the noun pohja (base, foundation) are closely connected to vahvalla. The form is part of Finnish case and mood patterns that express spatial, instrumental, or figurative relations.