nähden / suhteen
Formal Postpositions
Use nähden for comparison/relation (Illative), suhteen for reference (Genitive), and puolesta for representation (Genitive).
How It Works
These postpositions are staples of formal Finnish (kirjakieli). While common in writing, they can sound bureaucratic in speech.
1. Nähden (Relation/Comparison)
This postposition follows the illative case. It evaluates something relative to a factor. Unlike genitive postpositions, nähden never takes a suffix; instead, the possessive suffix attaches to the preceding noun.
- Hintaansa nähden = Considering its price (suffix -nsa on the noun).
- Minuun nähden = Compared to me (no suffix on the postposition).
2. Suhteen (Regarding/In terms of)
This follows the genitive case. It defines the domain being discussed. It is rarely used with personal pronouns; the elative case is usually preferred.
- Tämän asian suhteen = Regarding this matter.
- Suunnitelmien suhteen = In terms of the plans.
3. Puolesta (On behalf of/For)
This follows the genitive case. It indicates representation or support. When used with personal pronouns, the suffix attaches to the postposition.
- Minun puolestani = On my behalf / As far as I'm concerned.
- Koon puolesta = In terms of size.
Examples (5)
- Hän on hyvin viisas ikäänsä nähden.
He is very wise considering his age.
Word by Word: He is very wise age-his-into relation-to.
Uses 'nähden' with the illative case to show a comparison between his wisdom and his age.
- Olen toiveikas tulevaisuuden suhteen.
I am hopeful regarding the future.
Word by Word: I-am hopeful future-of respect-in.
Uses 'suhteen' with the genitive case to define the scope of the hopefulness.
- Puhun koko perheen puolesta.
I speak on behalf of the whole family.
Word by Word: I-speak whole family-of behalf-on.
Uses 'puolesta' with the genitive case to show representation.
- Tämä auto on hintaansa nähden erinomainen.
This car is excellent considering its price.
Word by Word: This car is price-its-into relation-to excellent.
A common evaluative use of 'nähden' with the illative case.
- Mitä mieltä olet uuden suunnitelman suhteen?
What is your opinion regarding the new plan?
Word by Word: What opinion-partitive you-are new-of plan-of respect-in?
A formal way to ask for an opinion on a specific topic using 'suhteen'.
Common Mistakes
Using the genitive case with 'nähden'.
Hän on pitkä iän nähden.Hän on pitkä ikään nähden.'Nähden' requires the illative case (ikään), not the genitive (iän).
Adding a possessive suffix to 'nähden' instead of the noun.
Hän on pitkä ikään nähdensä.Hän on pitkä ikäänsä nähden.With 'nähden', the possessive suffix attaches to the noun in the illative case, not to the postposition itself.
Omitting the possessive suffix with 'puolesta'.
Minun puolesta se on okei.Minun puolestani se on okei.In standard Finnish, postpositions following the genitive like 'puolesta' require a possessive suffix when used with a personal pronoun.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'nähden' and 'suhteen' correctly, you must be comfortable with the genitive and allative cases, as these postpositions govern those specific cases. Additionally, familiarity with how postpositions follow their headwords in Finnish is essential.
- -lleAllative (-lle)
The postposition 'nähden' specifically requires the preceding noun or pronoun to be in the allative case (e.g., 'minuun nähden' or 'siihen nähden').
Level 1 - Postpositions Follow the Genitive
Understanding the general structure of Finnish postpositions is necessary to correctly place and use these formal variants.
Level 2
Related Patterns
- -Vn/-seenIllative (-Vn/-seen)
Nähden is a rare postposition that requires the illative case instead of the genitive.
Level 1 - -ni/-si/-nsaPossessive Suffixes
Genitive postpositions like 'puolesta' take a suffix, while 'nähden' requires the suffix on the preceding noun.
Level 1 - -sta/-stäElative (-sta/-stä)
The elative case is often a more natural, less formal alternative to using 'suhteen'.
Level 1 - Noun-Heavy Official Style
These postpositions are frequently found in formal, nominal-heavy official writing.
Level 5
Words in This Pattern
Practice nähden / suhteen in Bubblegum
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