The Allative Plural (-ille)
The allative case expresses motion onto a surface, but it is most commonly used to indicate a recipient. It answers the question "to whom?" or "for whom?"
To direct an action to multiple recipients, use the allative plural ending -ille. This is formed by adding the plural marker -i- and the allative ending -lle to the word's stem. Unlike many other case endings, -lle does not have a vowel harmony variant.
You will often see the allative used with verbs of giving, throwing, and speaking.
| I throw meat to the lions. | Minä heitän lihaa leijonille. |
| Who gives food to these animals? | Kuka antaa ruokaa näille eläimille? |
Stem Changes
Just like in other plural cases, attaching the plural -i- can alter the final vowel of the noun and trigger consonant gradation:
- kettu (fox) → ketuille (double tt becomes single t)
- apina (monkey) → apinoille (final -a becomes -o-)
- eläin (animal) → eläimille (words ending in -in change to -im- before endings)
| The man gives fish to the foxes. | Mies antaa kalaa ketuille. |
| The students throw apples to the monkeys. | Opiskelijat heittävät omenoita apinoille. |
Expressing "For" Someone
Beyond direct physical actions like giving or throwing, the allative is also the natural way to express that something is intended for someone (or in this lesson, for the animals).
| Is this big box for the lions? | Onko tämä iso laatikko leijonille? |
| Is this fish for the bears or for the foxes? | Onko tämä kala karhuille vai ketuille? |