voimallaan

Voimallaan is a Finnish expression built from the noun voima (power) with the instrumental/adessive suffix -ll(a) and a possessive ending, yielding a form that conveys “with power” or “by means of power.” It is used to indicate the means, authority, or resources by which an action is performed, typically referring to a person, group, or institution.

Morphology and forms: Voimallaan represents the third-person possessive form. Finnish allows corresponding forms for other possessors, such as voimallani (with my power), voimallasi (with your power), voimallamme (with our power), voimallanne (with your power, plural), and voimallansa/ voimallaan (with their power). The exact endings follow standard Finnish possessive suffix patterns, while the -lla/-llä element marks the instrumental/adessive “with” meaning.

Usage and nuance: The phrase is common in narrative and rhetorical contexts, especially when emphasizing authority, influence, or resources. It often conveys a sense of agency or dominance and can carry a formal or elevated tone. In political or historical writing, voimallaan may underscore actions taken through personal or institutional power, rather than through legalistic or procedural means.

Examples:

- Hän ratkaisi kriisin voimallaan. (He resolved the crisis with his power.)

- Sankari hallitsi tilanteen voimallaan. (The hero controlled the situation through his power.)

Relation to other expressions: Voimallaan is distinctly instrumental, focusing on power as a means. It is not the same as expressions for force or coercion, such as väkivalta or voima in a physical sense. In Finnish, the form is idiomatic and its tone can range from neutral to literary depending on context.