Introduction to the Finnish Language and Culture 1B 28.10.-13.12.2019
Grammar - Kielioppi
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1. Nouns
1.2. Genitive
Pasi - Pasin
Pasi - Pasi’s
Janet - Janetin
The use of the genitive form
The genitive form is used in Finnish to express e.g. ownership and possession.
Axel's car
Annan kirja
Anna's book
The genitive is used as an attribute
Italian pääkaupunki
the capital city of Italy
Helsingin yliopisto
University of Helsinki
Notice, that a genitive attribute is always in genitive form regardless the main word's form:
Minä opiskelen Helsingin yliopistossa. I study at the University of Helsinki.
Minä asun Helsingin keskustassa, I live in the center of Helsinki.
Special use of the genitive case occures with täytyy must.
The subject is marked with the -n and the verb täytyy is in the same form regardless of the person.
I must go now.
You must stay home.
Sanna must live in Helsinki.
We must speak Finnish.
Teidän täytyy mennä kotiin.
You must go home now.
Heidän täytyy asua Oslossa.
They must live in Oslo.