Partitiivi
Master the essential use of the partitive case for ongoing actions, open quantities, and negatives.
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water
Partitive singular of 'vesi'. Used with ongoing actions (like drinking), indefinite quantities, and negative clauses.
Juo lasillinen vettä ennen nukkumaanmenoa.
Drink a glass of water before going to bed.
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coffee
Partitive singular of 'kahvi'. Expresses an unspecified amount of coffee or an ongoing activity like drinking or buying coffee.
Keitänkö lisää kahvia, vai riittääkö tämä?
Should I brew more coffee, or is this enough?
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milk
Partitive singular of 'maito'. Used for open quantities, unfinished actions, and negation, e.g., 'ei maitoa' (no milk).
Lapsi pyysi maitoa lasiin ja kaksi keksiä.
The child asked for milk in a glass and two cookies.
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bread
Partitive singular of 'leipä'. Indicates an unspecified portion of bread, often in the context of eating, buying, or offering.
Leikkaisitko muutaman viipaleen leipää illalliselle?
Could you cut a few slices of bread for dinner?
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sugar
Partitive singular of 'sokeri'. Used for indefinite amounts and with verbs that imply process rather than completion, such as adding or tasting.
Laitan kahviin vain vähän sokeria, koska tykkään kitkerästä.
I put only a little sugar in my coffee, because I like it bitter.
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salt
Partitive singular of 'suola'. Expresses a partial or unspecified quantity, and is also used in negatives like 'ei suolaa'.
Lisäsin keittoon hieman suolaa, mutta se jäi silti miedoksi.
I added a bit of salt to the soup, but it still turned out bland.
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cheese
Partitive singular of 'juusto'. Shows an open portion, used when talking about eating, slicing, or buying cheese without specifying the whole.
Leipä maistui paremmalta, kun laitoin sen päälle kunnolla juustoa.
The bread tasted better when I put plenty of cheese on it.
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meat
Partitive singular of 'liha'. Indicates an unspecified amount of meat, often in the context of cooking, eating, or grocery shopping.
Ostan tänään vähän lihaa ja paljon vihanneksia.
Today I'm buying a little meat and a lot of vegetables.
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fish
Partitive singular of 'kala'. Refers to fish as a mass noun or an unspecified amount, especially when talking about eating or cooking.
Söimme eilen hyvää kalaa ja perunamuusia.
Yesterday we had good fish and mashed potatoes.
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apple
Partitive singular of 'omena'. Used for a partial or unspecific quantity, often with verbs like eating, buying, or wanting.
Haluaisin vielä puolikkaan omenaa, jos sinulla on ylimääräistä.
I'd like another half an apple, if you have any extra.
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potato
Partitive singular of 'peruna'. Used to indicate an unspecified amount of potato, often in cooking, eating, or grocery contexts, and with verbs that describe ongoing or incomplete actions.
Ostin kilon perunaa, mutta se ei riittänyt koko perheelle.
I bought a kilo of potatoes, but it wasn't enough for the whole family.
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rice
Partitive singular of 'riisi'. Expresses an indefinite quantity of rice, typically when talking about cooking, eating, or buying rice as a mass noun.
Keitä kaksi desilitraa riisiä ja paista siihen kylkeen kanan rintafileet.
Cook two deciliters of rice and fry some chicken breasts to go with it.
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beer
Partitive singular of 'olut'. Used for an unspecified amount of beer, often with verbs like drinking, ordering, or buying, and in negative sentences like 'en juo olutta'.
Otan yhden tuopin olutta, kiitos, ja kaverille lasillisen valkoviiniä.
I'll have one pint of beer, please, and a glass of white wine for my friend.
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wine
Partitive singular of 'viini'. Indicates an open or partial quantity of wine, often connected to drinking, ordering, or offering, and appears in negations like 'ei viiniä'.
Kaadapas meille vähän viiniä, jotta voidaan nostaa maljat.
Pour us some wine so we can raise a toast.
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tea
Partitive singular of 'tee'. Shows an unspecified amount of tea, used when talking about drinking, brewing, or offering tea, and in negatives like 'ei teetä'.
Tein kaksi kupillista teetä, toisen mintulla ja toisen kamomillalla.
I made two cups of tea, one with mint and one with chamomile.
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juice
Partitive singular of 'mehu'. Refers to an indefinite amount of juice, typically used with drinking, buying, or serving, and with negation such as 'ei mehua'.
Lapsi kaatoi mehua lattialle, joten pyyhin sen nopeasti rätillä.
The child spilled juice on the floor, so I wiped it up quickly with a cloth.
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chocolate
Partitive singular of 'suklaa'. Used for an unspecified portion of chocolate, especially in eating, giving, or buying contexts, and in negative statements like 'ei suklaata'.
Sain yllätyslahjaksi ison levyllisen suklaata, ja se on jo melkein syöty.
I received a large bar of chocolate as a surprise gift, and it's almost gone already.
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ice cream
Partitive singular of 'jäätelö'. Expresses a partial or indefinite amount of ice cream, used with eating, buying, or serving, and in negatives like 'en syö jäätelöä'.
Kesähelteellä teki mieli jäätelöä, joten kävelin lähikioskille.
On a hot summer day, I craved ice cream, so I walked to the nearby kiosk.
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butter
Partitive singular of 'voi'. Indicates an unspecific quantity of butter, common in cooking, spreading on bread, or shopping contexts, and in negations such as 'ei voita'.
Voitelin leivän päälle hyvin voita ja ripautin päälle vähän suolaa.
I spread plenty of butter on the bread and sprinkled a little salt on top.
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flour
Partitive singular of 'jauho'. Used for an unspecified amount of flour, typically when baking, cooking, or measuring, and in negatives like 'ei jauhoa'.
Leipoessa täytyy mitata jauhoa tarkasti, ettei taikinasta tule liian kovaa.
When baking, you must measure the flour carefully so the dough doesn't become too stiff.
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honey
Partitive singular of 'hunaja'. Used to indicate an unspecified amount of honey, often in the context of eating, adding to tea, or cooking, and in negative sentences like 'ei hunajaa'.
Laitan aina teelusikallisen hunajaa puuroon, se tuo kivasti makeutta.
I always put a teaspoon of honey in my porridge, it adds a nice sweetness.
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carrot
Partitive singular of 'porkkana'. Expresses an indefinite quantity of carrot, commonly used when talking about eating, cooking, or shopping for vegetables, and in negations.
Raastoin keittoon porkkanaa, mutta se ei maistunut tarpeeksi vahvasti.
I grated carrot into the soup, but it didn't taste strong enough.
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onion
Partitive singular of 'sipuli'. Indicates an unspecified amount of onion, especially in cooking, chopping, or frying contexts, and appears in negative statements like 'ei sipulia'.
Paistan pannulla sipulia ja valkosipulia, ennen kuin lisään jauhelihan.
I fry onion and garlic in the pan before adding the minced meat.
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tomato
Partitive singular of 'tomaatti'. Used for a partial or unspecific quantity of tomato, often with verbs like eating, slicing, or buying, and in negative clauses such as 'ei tomaattia'.
Laitoin salaatin päälle reilusti tomaattia, jotta siitä tulisi mehukas.
I put plenty of tomato on the salad to make it juicy.
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cucumber
Partitive singular of 'kurkku'. Refers to an unspecified amount of cucumber, often when talking about eating, slicing for salad, or buying, and in negatives like 'ei kurkkua'.
Ostan aina kurkkua, kun teen voileipiä, se tekee niistä raikkaita.
I always buy cucumber when I make sandwiches, it makes them fresh.
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fruit
Partitive singular of 'hedelmä'. Expresses an indefinite amount of fruit as a mass noun, typically used when eating, buying, or offering, and in negatives like 'ei hedelmää'.
Jälkiruoaksi söin vain vähän hedelmää, koska olin jo täynnä.
For dessert, I only ate a little fruit because I was already full.
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vegetable
Partitive singular of 'vihannes'. Indicates an unspecified portion of vegetables as a category, common in cooking, health, and grocery contexts, and in negations.
Päivittäisessä ruokavaliossa pitäisi olla enemmän vihannesta.
There should be more vegetables in the daily diet.
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cabbage
Partitive singular of 'kaali'. Used for an unspecific quantity of cabbage, especially when cooking, shredding, or buying, and in negatives like 'ei kaalia'.
Höyrytin kaalia kevyesti ja tarjosin sen kalafileen kanssa.
I lightly steamed cabbage and served it with the fish fillet.
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berry
Partitive singular of 'marja'. Expresses an indefinite amount of berries, common when talking about picking, eating, or buying, and appears in negations such as 'ei marjaa'.
Keräsin metsästä vähän marjaa ja keitin niistä kotitekoista hilloa.
I picked some berries from the forest and made homemade jam from them.
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porridge
Partitive singular of 'puuro'. Indicates an unspecified amount of porridge, typically used when eating, cooking, or serving, and in negative contexts like 'ei puuroa'.
Aamupalaksi söin kaurapuuroa marjojen ja hunajan kera.
For breakfast, I had oat porridge with berries and honey.
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soup
Partitive singular of 'keitto'. Used to indicate an unspecified amount of soup, typically when eating, cooking, or serving, and in negative sentences like 'ei keittoa'.
Kaadoin itselleni kauhallisen keittoa ja kastoin lusikan varovasti kuumaan nesteeseen.
I poured myself a ladleful of soup and dipped the spoon carefully into the hot liquid.
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salad
Partitive singular of 'salaatti'. Expresses an indefinite quantity of salad, commonly used when eating, making, or serving, and in negations such as 'ei salaattia'.
Tilasin lounaaksi kevyen salaatin, mutta se oli niin pieni, että nälkä jäi.
I ordered a light salad for lunch, but it was so small that I was still hungry.
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red
Partitive singular of 'punainen'. Used to describe an indefinite or partial amount of something red, often with color adjectives after verbs like 'olla' or 'nähdä', and in negative contexts.
Maalasin huoneen seinään vähän punaista korostaakseni sitä, mutta lopputulos oli liian räikeä.
I painted a little red on the room wall to highlight it, but the result was too garish.
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blue
Partitive singular of 'sininen'. Indicates an unspecified quantity or shade of blue, often used in color descriptions and after verbs requiring the partitive.
Taivaalla oli vain hieman sinistä, koska suurin osa oli harmaiden pilvien peitossa.
There was only a little blue in the sky because most of it was covered by gray clouds.
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green
Partitive singular of 'vihreä'. Refers to an indefinite amount or shade of green, commonly used in color contexts and with partitive-requiring verbs.
Salaatissa oli vihreää niin paljon, että se näytti melkein kentältä.
There was so much green in the salad that it looked almost like a field.
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yellow
Partitive singular of 'keltainen'. Used for an unspecified amount or shade of yellow, appearing in color descriptions and with verbs that govern the partitive.
Maljakossa oli keltaista ja oranssia, mikä toi huoneeseen lämpöä.
There was yellow and orange in the vase, which brought warmth to the room.
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white
Partitive singular of 'valkoinen'. Indicates a partial or indefinite amount of white, used in color expressions and with partitive case requirements.
Valitsin seinään valkoista, jotta huone tuntuisi avarammalta.
I chose white for the wall so the room would feel more spacious.
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black
Partitive singular of 'musta'. Expresses an unspecified amount or shade of black, common in color descriptions and with partitive-governed verbs.
Kannussa oli mustaa, mutta se ei ollut kahvia vaan mustaherukkamehua.
There was black in the pitcher, but it wasn't coffee — it was blackcurrant juice.
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gray
Partitive singular of 'harmaa'. Refers to an indefinite quantity or tone of gray, used in color contexts and with partitive patterns.
Maalasin taulun taustaan hieman harmaata, jotta muut värit nousisivat esiin.
I painted a little gray into the background of the painting so the other colors would stand out.
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beautiful
Partitive singular of 'kaunis'. Used with partitive case to express an indefinite or partial quality of beauty, especially after verbs like 'on' in existential or possessive sentences.
Päivä oli kaunista ja lämmintä, mutta silti minulla oli kiire töihin.
The day was beautiful and warm, but I still had to rush to work.
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big / great
Partitive singular of 'suuri'. Used to describe an indefinite or partial quality of size or greatness, typically after verbs like 'olla' in existential clauses or with partitive-requiring verbs.
Se oli suurta iloa, kun kuulin uutisen, vaikka arvasin sen jo.
It was great joy when I heard the news, although I already suspected it.
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small / little
Partitive singular of 'pieni'. Indicates an indefinite or partial amount of smallness, used in color, size, and quality descriptions, especially with partitive-governed verbs.
Tuossa oli vain pientä säätöä, mutta se muutti koko tunnelman.
There was only a small adjustment there, but it changed the whole mood.
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young
Partitive singular of 'nuori'. Used to describe an indefinite or partial quality of youth, common in existential clauses and with verbs that require the partitive.
Porukassa oli nuorta ja vanhaa, mutta kaikki tulivat toimeen keskenään.
There were young and old in the group, but everyone got along.
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old
Partitive singular of 'vanha'. Expresses an unspecified or partial quality of age, used in color, size, and age descriptions and with partitive case requirements.
Tallissa oli vanhaa tavaraa, josta löytyi aarteen kaltaisia esineitä.
There was old stuff in the shed, among which were treasure-like items.
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new
Partitive singular of 'uusi'. Indicates an indefinite or partial amount of newness, often used in descriptions and with verbs governing the partitive.
Tässä talossa on aina jotain uutta, vaikka se on jo sata vuotta vanha.
There's always something new in this house, even though it's already a hundred years old.
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cold
Partitive singular of 'kylmä'. Used to describe an indefinite or partial sensation of coldness, common in weather, drink, and temperature contexts, and with partitive patterns.
Ulkona oli kylmää, joten kaivoin kaapista villapaidan.
It was cold outside, so I dug a sweater out of the closet.
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hot
Partitive singular of 'kuuma'. Expresses an unspecified or partial degree of heat, used in weather, food, and drink contexts, and with partitive-requiring verbs.
Kahvi oli vielä kuumaa, mutta se jäähtyi nopeasti viileässä huoneessa.
The coffee was still hot, but it cooled down quickly in the cool room.
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warm
Partitive singular of 'lämmin'. Indicates an indefinite or partial warmth, used in temperature and comfort descriptions, and after partitive verbs.
Pesin käsiä lämmintä vettä, koska ne olivat ihan jäässä.
I washed my hands with warm water because they were completely frozen.
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good
Partitive singular of 'hyvä'. Used to express an indefinite or partial quality of goodness, commonly in taste, health, and approval contexts, and with partitive patterns.
Tänään oli hyvää, mutta eilen ruoka maistui aivan erilaiselta.
Today it was good, but yesterday the food tasted completely different.
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bad / evil
Partitive singular of 'paha'. Indicates an unspecified or partial negativity, used in taste, health, and moral contexts, and with partitive-requiring verbs.
En usko, että siinä on pahaa, vaikka jotkut varoittivatkin.
I don't think there's anything bad in it, even though some people warned against it.
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difficult
Partitive singular of 'vaikea'. Used to express an indefinite or partial quality of difficulty, often in descriptions of tasks or situations, and with partitive-governed verbs.
Tehtävä oli vaikeaa, mutta harjoituksen jälkeen se alkoi sujua.
The task was difficult, but after practice it started to go smoothly.
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easy
Partitive singular of 'helppo'. Indicates an unspecified or partial sense of ease, used in task, situation, or life descriptions with partitive patterns.
Luulin matematiikasta tulevan helppoa, mutta se vaati paljon keskittymistä.
I thought math would be easy, but it required a lot of concentration.
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expensive
Partitive singular of 'kallis'. Expresses an indefinite or partial quality of high price, common in shopping, housing, and service contexts, and used with partitive verbs.
Tämä viini on kallista, mutta juhlapöytään se sopii mainiosti.
This wine is expensive, but it suits the festive table perfectly.
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cheap / inexpensive
Partitive singular of 'halpa'. Indicates an unspecified or partial low price, often used in shopping, bargain, and budget contexts with partitive grammar.
Torilla myytiin halpaa, mutta laatu yllätti positiivisesti.
At the market they sold cheap things, but the quality surprised positively.
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person / human
Partitive singular of 'ihminen'. Used to indicate an unspecified or partial number of people, especially with existential clauses, quantities, and negative sentences.
Bussipysäkillä oli vain yhtä ihmistä, mutta jono kasvoi nopeasti.
There was only one person at the bus stop, but the queue grew quickly.
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child
Partitive singular of 'lapsi'. Expresses an indefinite or partial amount or number of children, used in family, school, and care contexts with partitive case.
Puistossa oli lasta ja aikuista, ja kaikki nauttivat auringosta.
There were children and adults in the park, and everyone enjoyed the sunshine.
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man
Partitive singular of 'mies'. Indicates an unspecified or partial number of men, common in demographic, social, and descriptive contexts with partitive usage.
Ravintolassa oli vain muutamaa miestä, kun saavuimme paikalle.
There were only a few men in the restaurant when we arrived.
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woman
Partitive singular of 'nainen'. Used for an indefinite or partial number of women, often in social, work, and everyday contexts with partitive case.
Juhlissa oli naista, miestä ja lasta, eli koko perheen kattaus.
There were women, men, and children at the party, so a whole family gathering.
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friend
Partitive singular of 'ystävä'. Expresses an unspecified or partial number of friends, used in social, invitation, and relationship contexts with partitive grammar.
Kutsuin juhliin vain läheistä ystävää, koska halusin pienen piirin.
I invited only a close friend to the party because I wanted a small circle.
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dog
Partitive singular of 'koira'. Indicates an indefinite or partial number of dogs, used in pet, park, and walking contexts, and with negative and partitive structures.
Lenkillä näin koiraa, kissaa ja jopa oravan, mikä teki päivästä mukavan.
On my walk I saw a dog, a cat, and even a squirrel, which made the day pleasant.
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cat
Partitive singular of 'kissa'. Used to indicate an unspecified number of cats, typically in pet, animal, or observation contexts, and with partitive-requiring verbs and negatives.
Naapurin pihalla oli kissaa, joka katseli minua uteliaasti aidan raosta.
There was a cat in the neighbor's yard, watching me curiously through a gap in the fence.
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bird
Partitive singular of 'lintu'. Expresses an indefinite or partial number of birds, used in nature, park, and observation contexts with partitive case.
Aamulla kuulin lintua, mutta en nähnyt sitä puiden lehvästön takia.
In the morning I heard a bird, but I didn't see it because of the tree foliage.
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car
Partitive singular of 'auto'. Indicates an unspecified number of cars, commonly used in traffic, parking, and ownership contexts with partitive structures.
Parkkipaikalla oli autoa vain vähän, joten löysin helposti paikan.
There were very few cars in the parking lot, so I easily found a spot.
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book
Partitive singular of 'kirja'. Used for an indefinite number of books, often in reading, library, and study contexts with partitive case.
Lainasin kirjastosta kirjaa, mutta se oli niin hyvä, että luin sen yhdessä päivässä.
I borrowed a book from the library, but it was so good that I read it in one day.
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newspaper / magazine / leaf
Partitive singular of 'lehti'. Expresses an unspecified number of newspapers, magazines, or leaves, used in reading, gardening, and nature contexts with partitive grammar.
Ostin aamulla lehteä, mutta en ehtinyt lukea sitä ennen töitä.
I bought a newspaper in the morning, but I didn't have time to read it before work.
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money
Partitive singular of 'raha'. Indicates an unspecified amount of money, used in shopping, banking, and transaction contexts, and with negatives like 'ei rahaa'.
Jäi vielä rahaa säästöön, vaikka tein ison ostosreissun ruokakauppaan.
I still had money left over for savings, even though I went on a big grocery shopping trip.
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time
Partitive singular of 'aika'. Used to express an indefinite amount of time, common in scheduling, waiting, and planning contexts, and with partitive verbs.
Minulla ei ollut aikaa jäädä juttelemaan, koska juna lähti viiden minuutin kuluttua.
I didn't have time to stay and chat because the train left in five minutes.
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work / job
Partitive singular of 'työ'. Indicates an unspecified amount of work, used in employment, task, and effort contexts, and with negative or partitive structures.
Tämä projekti vaati työtä, mutta lopputulos oli sen arvoinen.
This project required work, but the end result was worth it.
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help
Partitive singular of 'apu'. Expresses an unspecified amount of help, often in requests, offers, and emergency contexts, and with partitive case patterns.
Tarvitsen apua tämän laatikon kantamisessa, se on liian painava yksin.
I need help carrying this box; it's too heavy alone.
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luck / happiness
Partitive singular of 'onni'. Used to indicate an indefinite amount of luck or happiness, common in wishes, greetings, and emotional contexts with partitive grammar.
Toivotan sinulle onnea uudessa työpaikassa, uskon että menestyt.
I wish you good luck in your new job; I believe you will succeed.
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music
Partitive singular of 'musiikki'. Indicates an unspecified amount or type of music, often used with verbs of listening, playing, or enjoying, and in negative contexts.
Kuuntelin autossa kovalla musiikkia, mutta en kuullut navigaattorin ohjeita.
I was playing loud music in the car, but I didn't hear the navigator's instructions.
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Finnish (language)
Partitive singular of 'suomi'. Used to refer to an unspecified amount of Finnish language study, speaking, or understanding, and with partitive-requiring verbs.
Opiskelen suomea, koska haluan muuttaa Helsinkiin ensi vuonna.
I'm studying Finnish because I want to move to Helsinki next year.
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English (language)
Partitive singular of 'englanti'. Expresses an indefinite quantity of English language, common in learning, speaking, and translating contexts with partitive case.
Puhun englantia sujuvasti, mutta suomi tuottaa vielä vaikeuksia.
I speak English fluently, but Finnish still gives me trouble.
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language / tongue
Partitive singular of 'kieli'. Indicates an unspecified language or amount of language, used in linguistic, learning, and communication contexts with partitive grammar.
On hyödyllistä osata kieltä, jota puhutaan matkakohteessa.
It's useful to know the language spoken at the travel destination.
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country / land / ground
Partitive singular of 'maa'. Used for an indefinite amount of land, country references, or geographical contexts, often with partitive patterns.
Olen matkustanut maata, mutta en ole koskaan käynyt Aasiassa.
I have traveled the country, but I have never been to Asia.
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city / town
Partitive singular of 'kaupunki'. Expresses an indefinite number of cities or an unspecified part of a city, used in travel, living, and descriptive contexts.
Näin kaupunkia ylhäältä tornista, ja se näytti upealta auringonlaskussa.
I saw the city from above from the tower, and it looked stunning at sunset.
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house
Partitive singular of 'talo'. Indicates an unspecified number of houses or an unspecified amount related to housing, used with partitive-requiring verbs.
Etsimme taloa, jossa olisi iso piha ja lähellä koulua.
We're looking for a house with a large yard and close to a school.
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room
Partitive singular of 'huone'. Used for an indefinite number of rooms or an unspecified part of a room, common in housing, hotel, and building contexts.
Hotellissa oli huonetta vapaina, mutta halusimme merinäköalan.
There were rooms available at the hotel, but we wanted a sea view.
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air
Partitive singular of 'ilma'. Expresses an indefinite amount of air, used in weather, breathing, and space contexts, and in negatives like 'ei ilmaa'.
Avasin ikkunan, jotta tulisi vähän raitista ilmaa huoneeseen.
I opened the window to let some fresh air into the room.
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weather
Partitive singular of 'sää'. Indicates an unspecified type or amount of weather, used in meteorological, planning, and outdoor contexts with partitive patterns.
Sää on vaihtelevaa, joten ota mukaan sateenvarjo ja aurinkolasit.
The weather is changeable, so take both an umbrella and sunglasses with you.
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snow
Partitive singular of 'lumi'. Used to indicate an unspecified amount of snow, common in weather descriptions, winter activities, and negative sentences like 'ei lunta'.
Lunta tuli koko yön, joten aamulla pihassa oli paksu kerros.
Snow fell all night, so in the morning there was a thick layer in the yard.
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it's raining (water)
A phrase using the partitive 'vettä' with the verb 'sataa' (to rain) to express the ongoing nature of rain. In Finnish, weather verbs take the partitive for the substance falling.
Ulos ei kannata mennä ilman sadetakkia, koska vettä sataa vaakasuoraan.
It's not worth going outside without a raincoat, because the rain is falling horizontally.
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it's snowing heavily
An expression using the partitive 'lunta' with the verb 'pyryttää' (to snow heavily). The partitive emphasizes the ongoing, intense action and the indefinite amount of snow.
Lunta pyryttää niin paljon, että tiet ovat jo valkoisina ja autot jäävät kiinni.
It's snowing so heavily that the roads are already white and cars are getting stuck.
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I love you
A classic partitive structure where the verb 'rakastaa' (to love) governs the partitive object 'sinua' (you). This is the standard way to express love in Finnish.
Rakastan sinua enemmän kuin sanoilla voi kuvata, ja se tuntuu joka päivä.
I love you more than words can describe, and it feels like that every day.
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I help him/her
An example of a verb 'auttaa' (to help) that takes a partitive object 'häntä' (him/her). The partitive indicates the ongoing or incomplete nature of the helping action.
Autan häntä muuttokuorman kantamisessa, koska hän asuu nyt yksin.
I help him/her with carrying the moving load because he/she lives alone now.
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I understand the teacher
Uses the partitive 'opettajaa' with the verb 'ymmärtää' (to understand). Some verbs of perception and cognition take the partitive object in Finnish.
Ymmärrän opettajaa hyvin, kun hän puhuu hitaasti, mutta nopea puhe menee ohi.
I understand the teacher well when he speaks slowly, but fast talk goes over my head.
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I speak Finnish
A verb-object construction where 'puhua' (to speak) takes the partitive object 'suomea' to express the language being spoken as an ongoing or general action.
Puhun suomea melko sujuvasti, mutta joskus unohdan sanat kesken lauseen.
I speak Finnish fairly fluently, but sometimes I forget words mid-sentence.
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I study (a/the) language
A partitive object 'kieltä' with the verb 'opiskella' (to study), indicating the ongoing process of learning the language rather than having completed it.
Opiskelen kieltä päivittäin, mutta vaikeimmat rakenteet vievät aikaa.
I study the language daily, but the most difficult structures take time.
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I'm reading a book
A common partitive construction with 'lukea' (to read) taking the partitive object 'kirjaa' to indicate the reading is in progress and not necessarily finished.
Luen kirjaa iltaisin, ja se auttaa rentoutumaan päivän kiireiden jälkeen.
I'm reading a book in the evenings, and it helps me relax after the day's rush.
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I'm watching television
A partitive object 'televisiota' with the verb 'katsoa' (to watch), emphasizing the ongoing, incomplete action of watching rather than watching it completely.
Katson televisiota vain viikonloppuisin, koska arkena on liian kiire.
I watch television only on weekends, because weekdays are too busy.
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I'm listening to music
A partitive construction where 'kuunnella' (to listen) governs the partitive object 'musiikkia'. This indicates that the listening action is ongoing and the music is not consumed as a whole.
Kuuntelen musiikkia aina lenkillä, se piristää liikuntasuoritusta.
I listen to music always during my runs; it boosts my workout performance.
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I'm waiting for the bus
A partitive construction with 'odottaa' (to wait) taking the partitive object 'bussia'. Waiting is an ongoing process, making the partitive the natural choice.
Odotan bussia jo viisitoista minuuttia, ja alan jo epäillä aikataulua.
I've been waiting for the bus for fifteen minutes already, and I'm starting to doubt the schedule.
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I'm looking for a key / the key
A partitive construction with 'etsiä' (to look for) taking the partitive object 'avainta'. The search is an incomplete action, and the object is indefinite in outcome.
Etsin avainta ympäri taloa, mutta en löydä sitä mistään.
I'm looking for the key all around the house, but I can't find it anywhere.
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thinking of you
A partitive phrase using the inessive form of the third infinitive 'ajattelemassa' and the partitive object 'sinua'. The verb 'ajatella' (to think) governs the partitive when the object is a person or an abstract concept.
Olin koko päivän ajattelemassa sinua, vaikka yritin keskittyä työhön.
I was thinking of you all day, even though I tried to focus on work.
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(there is) no money
A negative existential construction using the partitive 'rahaa'. In Finnish, negated existential clauses always take the partitive case for the subject, regardless of the quantity.
Ei ole rahaa tuhlattavaksi, joten joudun säästämään joka asiassa.
There's no money to spend, so I have to save on everything.
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(there is) no time
A negative existential clause with the partitive 'aikaa'. The partitive is used after negation to emphasize the absence of time as an indefinite quantity.
Ei ole aikaa kahvitauolle, koska kokous alkaa viiden minuutin päästä.
There's no time for a coffee break because the meeting starts in five minutes.
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(there is) no car
A negative existential expression with the partitive 'autoa'. The partitive is used in negations when the subject is indefinite or non-existent.
Ei ole autoa, joten kävelen töihin vaikka sää olisi huono.
There's no car, so I walk to work even if the weather is bad.
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a little milk
A partitive phrase indicating a small, unspecified quantity of milk. The quantifier 'vähän' (a little) always takes the partitive case for the noun it modifies.
Laitoin kahviin vähän maitoa, jotta se olisi pehmeämpää.
I put a little milk in my coffee to make it smoother.
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a lot of work
A partitive phrase expressing a large, indefinite quantity of work. The quantifier 'paljon' (much / a lot) is always followed by a noun in the partitive case.
Minulla on paljon työtä tällä viikolla, joten en ehdi harrastuksiin.
I have a lot of work this week, so I won't have time for hobbies.
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two boys / two children
A numeral phrase where the noun is in the partitive singular, as required after numbers in Finnish. The numeral 'kaksi' (two) is followed by the partitive case of the noun.
Perheessä on kaksi poikaa ja yksi tyttö, joten meno on usein railakasta.
The family has two boys and one girl, so the atmosphere is often lively.