äärest

äärest is a Finnish word that primarily functions as a postposition. It is most commonly used to indicate proximity or adjacency to a place or object, translating to "near," "by," or "beside" in English. For example, "talon äärest" would mean "near the house." It can also imply a degree of movement towards something, such as "mennä joen äärest" meaning "to go to the river's edge."

The usage of äärest can sometimes overlap with other Finnish prepositions and postpositions that denote location, but it often carries a slightly more informal or colloquial tone. It is derived from the noun "ääri," meaning "edge" or "end." Therefore, its literal sense can be understood as being at or by the edge of something.

In certain contexts, äärest can also be used figuratively to express being on the verge of something or close to a particular state. For instance, "onnettomuuden äärest" could imply being on the brink of an accident. However, its most frequent and straightforward application remains in denoting physical proximity. The grammatical case that precedes äärest is typically the genitive.