-maisillaan
About to (-maisillaan)
The fifth infinitive (-maisillaan) describes an action that is imminent or very close to happening. It is almost always used with the verb olla (to be).
How It Works
The fifth infinitive is one of the most specialized forms in Finnish grammar. While rare in casual speech, it is a powerful tool in literature and formal writing to create dramatic tension.
1. Formation:
The form is built using the following steps:
- Start with the strong grade of the third infinitive stem (the -ma/-mä stem).
- Add the plural diminutive marker -is-.
- Add the plural adessive case ending -illa/-illä, following the rules of vowel harmony.
- Attach the possessive suffix that matches the subject.
Example: nukkua (to sleep) → nukkuma- + -is- + -illa- + -ni = nukkumaisillani.
2. Usage:
It is frequently used with the verb olla in the past tense (olin, olit, oli...) to describe a 'near-miss' or a moment of high anticipation, but it is also used in the present tense to describe an immediate state of being 'just about to' do something. Unlike aikoa (to intend), which describes a plan, the fifth infinitive describes a physical or temporal state of being 'on the edge' of the action.
3. Register:
This is a kirjakieli (written language) form. In everyday spoken Finnish, you would likely use olla juuri tekemässä (to be just doing) or melkein (almost).
Examples (4)
- Olin juuri nukahtamaisillani, kun puhelin soi.
I was just about to fall asleep when the phone rang.
Word by Word: I-was just about-to-sleep-my, when phone rang.
The suffix -ni matches the subject 'minä' (I). It shows the action of sleeping was imminent.
- Hän oli purskahtamaisillaan itkuun.
She was on the point of bursting into tears.
Word by Word: She was about-to-burst-her into-cry.
The suffix -an matches 'hän'. This describes a state where the crying is just starting or very close.
- Talo oli jo kaatumaisillaan myrskyssä.
The house was already on the verge of collapsing in the storm.
Word by Word: House was already about-to-fall-its in-storm.
Even with inanimate objects like 'talo', the third-person possessive suffix -an/-ään is required.
- Olimme jo lähtemäisillämme, mutta sitten alkoi sataa.
We were already just about to leave, but then it started to rain.
Word by Word: We-were already about-to-leave-our, but then started to-rain.
The suffix -mme matches 'me' (we).
Common Mistakes
Omitting the possessive suffix.
Olin putoamaisilla.Olin putoamaisillani.The fifth infinitive is incomplete without a possessive suffix. You must always add the suffix that matches the subject.
Using the weak grade of the stem.
Hän oli pudomaisillaan.Hän oli putoamaisillaan.Verbs that undergo consonant gradation must use the strong grade stem for this form. For example, 'pudota' (to fall) uses the strong stem 'putoama-', not the weak 'pudoma-'.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand the fifth infinitive (-maisillaan), you need to know how to form the -ma/-mä stem from verbs and how to attach possessive suffixes, as this form always agrees with the subject. Familiarity with the inessive case is also helpful as the structure is built on a plural inessive form.
Related Patterns
- -massaIn the Middle of Doing (-massa)
While -massa means 'in the middle of doing', -maisillaan means 'just about to start doing'.
Level 3 - -ni/-si/-nsaPossessive Suffixes
The fifth infinitive requires these suffixes to be grammatically correct.
Level 1 - Consonant Gradation
This form always uses the strong grade of the verb stem, which is a key part of consonant gradation rules.
Level 1 - Written vs Spoken Finnish
The fifth infinitive is a classic example of a form used in formal writing but rarely in speech.
Level 3 - -essa (temporaalirakenne)Temporal Construction (-essa)
Both are advanced infinitive constructions used to describe the timing or state of an action.
Level 4
Words in This Pattern
Practice -maisillaan in Bubblegum
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