kohti / varten
Per and for (Kohti, Varten)
kohti = per / each / towards
varten = for / for the purpose of
How It Works
In Finnish, expressing 'for' or 'per' requires specific postpositions rather than just case endings.
1. Kohti (Distributive & Directional)
When used as 'per' or 'each', kohti indicates a ratio or proportion. It is common in statistics, pricing, and formal instructions. It also means 'towards' in a spatial sense.
- kiloa kohti = per kilogram
- henkeä kohti = per person (literally: per spirit)
2. Varten (Purposive)
Varten is used to express the purpose or intended recipient of something. It answers the question Mitä varten? (For what purpose?).
- It is not used for time duration (e.g., 'for two hours').
- It is not used for exchange (e.g., 'bought for five euros').
- It implies something was specifically designated or created for a certain use.
3. Grammar Rules
Both words follow the noun they modify. The noun must be in the partitive case. Unlike many other postpositions, they do not typically take possessive suffixes; instead, you use the partitive form of the personal pronoun (e.g., minua varten).
Examples (5)
- Lippu maksaa kymmenen euroa henkilöä kohti.
The ticket costs ten euros per person.
Word by Word: Ticket costs ten euro person per.
'Henkilöä' is the partitive form of 'henkilö', followed by 'kohti' to show the rate.
- Tämä lahja on sinua varten.
This gift is for you.
Word by Word: This gift is you for.
'Sinua' is the partitive form of 'sinä'. 'Varten' shows that the gift is intended for the person.
- Mitä varten sinä opiskelet suomea?
For what purpose are you studying Finnish?
Word by Word: What for you study Finnish?
'Mitä varten' is a common way to ask 'why' when focusing on the goal or purpose.
- Suomessa on kaksi autoa kolmea ihmistä kohti.
In Finland, there are two cars per three people.
Word by Word: In-Finland is two car three people per.
Here 'kohti' expresses a statistical ratio between two groups.
- Ostin uudet kengät juhlia varten.
I bought new shoes for the party.
Word by Word: I-bought new shoes party for.
'Juhlia' is the partitive plural of 'juhla'. 'Varten' indicates the specific occasion the shoes are for.
Common Mistakes
Using the genitive case instead of the partitive.
Sinun varten.Sinua varten.Most Finnish postpositions take the genitive, but 'varten' and 'kohti' are exceptions that require the partitive.
Using 'varten' for time duration.
Olin siellä varten kaksi tuntia.Olin siellä kaksi tuntia.Finnish does not use a preposition/postposition for 'for' when talking about duration. Use the accusative/genitive or the translative case instead.
Confusing 'varten' (purpose) with 'takia' (reason).
Sateen varten jäimme kotiin.Sateen takia jäimme kotiin.'Varten' looks forward to a goal, while 'takia' looks backward at a cause. You stay home 'because of' (takia) rain, not 'for the purpose of' rain.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'kohti' and 'varten' correctly, you must first understand the partitive case, as these postpositions always follow a word in that form. Additionally, knowing the partitive forms of personal pronouns and how numbers interact with the partitive is essential for common expressions like 'for you' or 'per piece'.
- minua / sinua / häntäPartitive Pronouns
The pattern is frequently used with personal pronouns (e.g., 'sinua varten'), which requires knowledge of their partitive forms.
Level 2 - Counting Takes the Partitive
The use of 'kohti' to mean 'per' often involves numerical expressions (e.g., 'kaksi euroa kappaletta kohti'), requiring an understanding of how numbers trigger the partitive.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- -a/-ä, -ta/-täPartitive (-a/-ta)
Both 'kohti' and 'varten' require the noun to be in the partitive case.
Level 1 - Postpositions Follow the Genitive
Most other postpositions use the genitive, making 'kohti' and 'varten' important exceptions to remember.
Level 2 - -lleAllative (-lle)
The allative case is often used for 'to/for' a recipient, whereas 'varten' is more specific about the purpose or benefit.
Level 1 - -ksiTranslative (-ksi)
The translative case is used to express 'for' when referring to a specific time or role (e.g., 'for Christmas').
Level 3 - Talking About Prices
'Kohti' is frequently used when discussing prices per unit or per person.
Level 2 - miksiWhy (Miksi)
'Mitä varten' is a synonym for 'miksi' (why) that specifically asks about the intended goal.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
Practice kohti / varten in Bubblegum
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