Verbs That Take -sta

Level 3

In Finnish, certain verbs 'govern' the elative case. This means instead of using a direct object (like the partitive), you must use the -sta/-stä ending. This often happens with verbs of liking, talking, and perceiving.

How It Works

Finnish 'rection' (rektio) refers to the way certain verbs demand a specific case for their arguments. While many emotion verbs take the partitive (like rakastaa) or the illative (like rakastua), the elative is used for specific groups of verbs.

1. Verbs of Liking and Opinion
The most common verbs here are pitää and its colloquial synonym tykätä (to like), as well as nauttia (to enjoy). The thing you like is viewed as the source of your pleasure. You also use the elative to express your opinion (minusta = in my opinion).

  • Pidän tästä. (I like this.)
  • Nautimme kesästä. (We enjoy the summer.)
  • Minusta tämä on hyvä. (In my opinion, this is good.)

2. Communication and Thought
When you talk, dream, or think about something, Finnish uses the elative.

  • Puhumme politiikasta. (We are talking about politics.)
  • Haaveilen lomasta. (I dream about a vacation.)

3. Finding, Buying, and Being Late
Finnish logic often focuses on where an item is taken from. Verbs like löytää (to find) and ostaa (to buy) use the elative for enclosed spaces. This logic also applies to being late from something.

  • Ostin leivän kaupasta. (I bought bread from the shop.)
  • Löysin avaimet taskusta. (I found the keys in [out of] the pocket.)
  • Myöhästyin bussista. (I was late for [from] the bus.)

4. Stopping and Change of State
The elative is used when an action ceases or someone becomes interested in something. Note that while 'stopping' (lakata) uses the elative, 'starting' verbs like alkaa or aloittaa do not; they typically take an infinitive or an object case.

  • Lakkasin tupakoimasta. (I stopped smoking.)
  • Kiinnostuin historiasta. (I became interested in history.)

Note on Source Logic:
Remember the Inside vs On Top rule. If you buy something from an open space (like tori) or a person, you must use the ablative (-lta) instead of the elative.

Examples (5)

  1. Minä pidän sinusta.

    I like you.

    Word by Word: I like from-you.

    The verb 'pitää' always requires the elative case for the person or thing being liked.

  2. He keskustelevat uudesta suunnitelmasta.

    They are discussing the new plan.

    Word by Word: They discuss new-from plan-from.

    Verbs of discussion like 'keskustella' use the elative to mark the topic 'about' which they speak.

  3. Nautin tästä kauniista päivästä.

    I am enjoying this beautiful day.

    Word by Word: I-enjoy this-from beautiful-from day-from.

    The verb 'nauttia' (to enjoy) requires the elative case.

  4. Mitä sinä ajattelet tästä kirjasta?

    What do you think about this book?

    Word by Word: What you think this-from book-from?

    When 'ajatella' means to have an opinion or think 'about' something, it takes the elative.

  5. Kiitos avusta!

    Thanks for the help!

    Word by Word: Thanks help-from!

    The implied action of thanking (kiittää) governs the elative for the reason/source of thanks.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the partitive with 'pitää' to mean 'like'.

    Different MeaningMinä pidän kahvia.
    Minä pidän kahvista.

    'Minä pidän kahvia' is a good sentence, but it means 'I keep coffee' (for example, I keep it in stock). To say you like coffee, 'pitää' takes the elative: 'Minä pidän kahvista'.

  • Confusing 'kiinnostua' (elative) with 'kiinnostaa' (partitive).

    Olen kiinnostunut tätä.
    Olen kiinnostunut tästä.

    The verb 'kiinnostua' (to become interested) takes the elative case, whereas 'kiinnostaa' (to interest someone) takes a partitive object.

  • Using -sta for people or open spaces when receiving an item.

    Ostin omenan torista.
    Ostin omenan torilta.

    While 'kauppa' (shop) takes the elative, open spaces like 'tori' (market) or people take the ablative (-lta). Using -sta with a person implies the object came 'out of' them.

How It Connects

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Verbs That Take -staLevel 3

Learn This First

To understand verbs governing the elative, you first need to know how to form the elative case itself (-sta/-stä). You also need to be comfortable with basic verb conjugation to use these verbs in context. Finally, it is helpful to understand the general concept of 'verb rection' (valenssi), which is typically first encountered when learning verbs that require the partitive case.

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Patterns that build on this one.

Words in This Pattern

-sta-stä