Possessive Suffix on an Inflected Noun

Level 2

In Finnish, when a noun has a case ending (like 'in', 'at', or 'to'), the possessive suffix (my, your, etc.) is added after that case ending. The formula is: Stem + Case Ending + Possessive Suffix.

How It Works

To become proficient in using possessive suffixes with cases, follow these steps:

1. The Order of Elements
The suffix follows the case ending, but it is not always the very last part of the word. If the word has a particle like -ko/-kö or -kin, the particle comes after the suffix. For example: talo (house) + -ssa (in) + -ni (my) + -kin (also) = talossanikin (also in my house).

2. Consonant Gradation
A possessive suffix does not change the grade of the stem. The case ending decides it, as usual, and the stem keeps that grade when the suffix is added. If the case ending causes weakening, the weak grade stays.

  • katu (street) + -lla (on) = kadulla (on the street - weak)
  • katu + -lla + -ni = kadullani (on my street - still weak)

3. Ending Changes (Absorption)
Some case endings lose their final consonant when a suffix is attached:

  • Genitive -n: The -n disappears. auton + -si = autosi (your car's).
  • Nominative Plural -t: The -t disappears. autot + -si = autosi (your cars).
  • Illative -n: The final -n is dropped. taloon + -mme = taloomme (into our house).

4. The 3rd Person Reflexive
The suffix -nsa/-nsä is reflexive. Without a separate pronoun, it means 'his/her/their own'. To say 'his (someone else's) house', you must use the pronoun: hänen talonsa.

Examples (5)

  1. Löysin avaimet takissani.

    I found the keys in my coat.

    Word by Word: I-found keys coat-in-my.

    The inessive case ending -ssa is followed by the 1st person suffix -ni.

  2. Hän asuu veljensä luona.

    He lives at his (own) brother's place.

    Word by Word: He lives brother-his at.

    The genitive -n is absorbed by the suffix -nsä. Without a pronoun, it refers to his own brother.

  3. Menemme kouluumme huomenna.

    We are going to our school tomorrow.

    Word by Word: We-go school-into-our tomorrow.

    The illative ending -un (from kouluun) drops its final -n before the suffix -mme.

  4. Oletko nähnyt uuden autoni?

    Have you seen my new car?

    Word by Word: Have-you seen new car-my?

    Here, 'autoni' could be nominative, genitive, or plural, but context shows it is the object of the sentence.

  5. Puhun vaimolleni puhelimessa.

    I am talking to my wife on the phone.

    Word by Word: I-talk wife-to-my phone-in.

    The allative case -lle is followed by the suffix -ni.

Common Mistakes

  • Putting the suffix before the case ending.

    Minä asun talonissa.
    Minä asun talossani.

    The case ending (-ssa) must always come before the possessive suffix (-ni).

  • Strengthening the stem when adding the suffix.

    Olen katullani.
    Olen kadullani.

    The possessive suffix does not strengthen the stem. The case ending decides the grade: 'katu' (street) becomes 'kadulla' (on the street), and with a suffix it stays weak: 'kadullani' (on my street).

  • Keeping the genitive -n before the suffix.

    Tämä on autonsi.
    Tämä on autosi.

    The genitive -n is dropped when a possessive suffix is added. 'Auton' (car's) becomes 'autosi' (your car's).

How It Connects

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Possessive Suffix on an Inflected NounLevel 2

Learn This First

To use possessive suffixes with cases, you need to understand how nouns are inflected in different cases and how the possessive suffixes themselves are formed. You also need to be familiar with vowel harmony, as it affects the entire word string.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-ni-si-nsa-nsä-mme