västi

Västi is a term used in Finnish linguistics to refer to the set of adverbs formed with the suffix -sti. In Standard Finnish, the suffix -sti is the productive means by which adjectives are turned into adverbs that express manner, degree, or intensity. The name västi is not an independent word with a fixed meaning outside of discussions of adverb formation; rather, it denotes a morphological pattern found in many common adverbs.

Formation and usage

Adverbs formed with -sti attach to the stem of an adjective. The base stem often ends in -va, -vä, -aa, or similar endings, and attaching -sti yields forms such as vahvasti (from vahva, “strong”) and syvästi (from syvä, “deep”). The exact phonetic surface of the resulting word can involve assimilation or vowel alternations to fit Finnish phonology. These adverbs are used across registers to describe how an action is performed, as in “hän puhui vahvasti” (he spoke strongly) or “lähestyivät syvästi” (they approached deeply/with depth).

Variation and notes

While -sti is a broad adverbial suffix, some adverbs in -sti appear with additional stylistic or dialectal nuance; speakers may prefer alternative adverb forms such as -asti in certain contexts. The choice between -sti forms often reflects phonological harmony, the stem’s ending, or conventional usage rather than a single universal rule. In reference grammars, the phenomenon is described as adverb formation via the -sti suffix rather than as a separate, autonomous morpheme.

See also

Finnish adverb formation, -sti suffix, Finnish phonology.