The Ablative Plural (-ilta/-iltä)
The ablative case expresses moving away from a surface, but it is equally common for receiving, asking, or taking something from someone.
To describe this with multiple people or creatures, use the ablative plural ending -lta or -ltä (depending on vowel harmony). It attaches to the plural stem, which always includes the plural marker -i-.
| The boy got a sword from the kings. | Poika sai miekan kuninkailta. |
| The woman did not get a crown from the princesses. | Nainen ei saanut kruunua prinsessoilta. |
Stem Changes
Just like in other plural cases, adding the plural -i- can alter the final vowel of the word and trigger consonant gradation:
- peikko (troll) → peikoilta (double kk becomes single k)
- noita (witch) → noidilta (t softens to d)
- prinsessa (princess) → prinsessoilta (final -a becomes -o-)
| I asked the trolls for gold. | Minä pyysin kultaa peikoilta. |
| The girl learned new words from the witches. | Tyttö oppi uusia sanoja noidilta. |
Common Ablative Verbs
Certain verbs naturally pair with the ablative case to describe a source, transaction, or separation. You will frequently see the ablative used with verbs like saada (to get), ostaa (to buy), oppia (to learn), pyytää (to ask for), and piilottaa (to hide from).
| I hid the ring from the monsters. | Minä piilotin sormuksen hirviöiltä. |
| The children always get apples from the elves. | Lapset saavat aina omenoita tontuilta. |
| The elves buy bread from the fairies. | Tontut ostavat leipää keijuilta. |
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