-kin

Too and Even (-kin)

Level 2

The suffix -kin is attached to the end of a word to mean 'also' or 'too'. It can also mean 'even' or 'after all' depending on the context.

How It Works

The clitic -kin is one of the most common particles in Finnish. It can attach to almost any word class, including nouns, verbs, adjectives (e.g., isoillakin = even on the big ones), and adverbs (e.g., nopeastikin = even quickly). It serves several main functions:

  • Addition: It functions like 'also' or 'too'. Minäkin tulen (I am coming, too) or Sataako sielläkin? (Is it raining there, too?). When attached to a verb, it can mean 'also/too' regarding the action itself: Hän lukee, ja hän kirjoittaakin (He reads, and he writes too).
  • Emphasis/Even: It can mean 'even'. Hän osti autonkin (He even bought a car).
  • Surprise or Confirmation: When attached to a verb, it often implies that something happened despite expectations or exactly as predicted. Sataakin! (It is raining! [contrary to doubt]) or Hän tulikin (He did come [after all]).
  • Change of Mind / Instead: When attached to a verb, it frequently expresses a sudden change of plans or a realization. En juo teetä. Otankin kahvia! (I won't drink tea. I'll have coffee instead!).
  • Narrative Connection: It is used to link events in a sequence to show a natural progression. Hän söi ja lähtikin kotiin (He ate and left for home).

Positional Focus:
The meaning of the sentence changes depending on which word -kin is attached to. Its position often identifies the focus, while attachment to a verb can affect how the whole event relates to expectations or the surrounding conversation. For example, Minäkin ostin auton means 'I also bought a car' (someone else bought one, and so did I), whereas Ostin autonkin means 'I bought a car, too' (I bought other things, and additionally a car).

Negative Sentences:
In basic negative statements, the clitic -kin is replaced by its negative counterpart -kaan/-kään (meaning 'neither' or 'not either'). However, -kin can still be used in negative questions when politely asking for confirmation or expressing expectation (e.g., Eikö hänkin tule? - Isn't he coming too?). Unlike -kaan/-kään, which alternates based on vowel harmony, -kin has only one invariant form.

Indefinite Pronouns:
The clitic -kin is used to form indefinite pronouns from pronominal stems. For example: the relative pronoun stem jo- + -kin = jokin (something), and the interrogative stem ku- + -kin = kukin (each).

Lexicalized Words:
The clitic -kin is permanently fused into several very common Finnish adverbs and conjunctions, such as kuitenkin (however), ainakin (at least), and varsinkin (especially).

Morphology:
1. Order: It is attached after case endings and possessive suffixes. While clitics can stack, their order follows a strict hierarchy. The order is: Stem + Case + Possessive Suffix + -kin. Example: talo (house) + -ssa (in) + -ni (my) + -kin = talossanikin (in my house, too). Example with another clitic: Minäkinkö? (Me too?).
2. Vowel Harmony: Unlike most Finnish suffixes, -kin is invariant. There is no '-kyn' form; it always uses 'i' because 'i' is a neutral vowel in vowel harmony.
3. Consonant Gradation: Attaching -kin does not trigger consonant gradation because it is treated as being outside the word's core structure.

Examples (6)

  1. Minäkin haluan kahvia.

    I want coffee, too.

    Word by Word: I-also want coffee.

    Here -kin is attached to the subject 'minä', emphasizing that 'I' (in addition to others) want coffee.

  2. Tämä kirja on halpakin.

    This book is even cheap.

    Word by Word: This book is cheap-even.

    Attached to an adjective, -kin adds emphasis, suggesting the price is surprisingly low.

  3. Hän tulikin kotiin ajoissa.

    He did come home on time (after all).

    Word by Word: He came-indeed home on-time.

    When attached to a verb, -kin often signals that something happened contrary to a negative expectation.

  4. Oletko sinäkin täällä?

    Are you here, too?

    Word by Word: Are-you you-also here?

    The clitic follows the personal pronoun 'sinä' to ask if the person is also present.

  5. Kävin kaupassakin tänään.

    I went to the store, too, today.

    Word by Word: I-visited store-in-also today.

    Note how -kin follows the inessive case ending -ssa.

  6. Hän söi ja lähtikin sitten kotiin.

    He ate and then went home.

    Word by Word: He ate and left-also then home-to.

    Verb-attached -kin connects the departure to the preceding context, for example as an expected consequence. English need not insert even or also in every translation.

Common Mistakes

  • Using -kin in a basic negative statement.

    En minäkin tiedä.
    En minäkään tiedä.

    In basic negative statements, you must use the negative counterpart -kaan/-kään instead of -kin. However, -kin can still be used in negative questions (e.g., 'Eikö hänkin tule?').

  • Applying consonant gradation because of the suffix.

    kadukin
    katukin

    The clitic -kin does not cause the 't' to change to 'd' (weak grade) because clitics do not affect the syllable structure for gradation purposes.

  • Placing -kin on the wrong word.

    Minä tulen kotiinkin.
    Minäkin tulen kotiin.

    If you want to say 'I am coming too', the suffix must be on 'minä'. Putting it on 'kotiin' means 'I am coming to the house, too (in addition to other places)'. The alternative sentence is grammatical; the error is choosing the wrong focus for the intended meaning.

How It Connects

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-kinLevel 2Too and Even (-kin)

Learn This First

To use the clitic -kin, you need to understand that it is an enclitic particle added to the very end of a word, following any case endings or possessive suffixes. It functions similarly to the word 'myös' (also) but is more versatile, as it can also mean 'even' depending on the context and the word it emphasizes.

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Words in This Pattern

-kin