Consonant gradation (-ssa/-ssä)

Consonant Gradation (Qualitative)

In the previous lesson, we saw how adding the inessive ending (-ssa or -ssä) causes double consonants to weaken into single ones.

When a word's stem has a single k, p, or t, the changes are qualitative. Instead of just dropping a letter, the consonant changes into a different letter (or disappears completely) to form the weak grade.

t → d

A single t in the strong grade weakens to a d.

  • pata (pot) → padassa (in the pot)
  • paita (shirt) → paidassa (in the shirt)
The food is still in the pot.
Ruoka on vielä padassa.
There is a small hole in the shirt.
Paidassa on pieni reikä.
The friend is in distress.
Ystävä on hädässä.

p → v

A single p in the strong grade weakens to a v.

  • tupa (cabin) → tuvassa (in the cabin)
  • leipä (bread) → leivässä (in the bread)
The cat is in the car and the dog is in the cabin.
Kissa on autossa ja koira on tuvassa.
The dirt is not in the bread.
Lika ei ole leivässä.

k → ∅ (disappears)

A single k in the strong grade is often so weak that it completely drops out of the word.

  • lika (dirt) → liassa (in the dirt)
  • reikä (hole) → reiässä (in the hole)
The small boy sits in the dirt.
Pieni poika istuu liassa.
The cat sits in the hole.
Kissa istuu reiässä.

Notice how ruoka (food) behaves. When the k drops, you are left with three vowels in a row: ruoassa.

There is a small flower in the food.
Ruoassa on pieni kukka.
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