Strong vs. Weak Grades in Plurals
Adding the nominative plural -t usually triggers the weak grade of consonants (like K, P, and T) because it closes the final syllable.
However, partitive plural endings (like -ja, -jä, -a, -ä) typically leave the syllable open, keeping the word in the strong grade — matching its dictionary form.
| Base Word (Strong) | Nominative Plural (Weak) | Partitive Plural (Strong) |
|---|---|---|
| pelto (lt) | pellot (ll) | peltoja (lt) |
| sika (k) | siat (dropped) | sikoja (k) |
| aita (t) | aidat (d) | aitoja (t) |
Notice how the partitive plural keeps the strong lt in peltoja:
| The fields are green here. | Pellot ovat täällä vihreitä. |
| The farmers buy new fields. | Isännät ostavat uusia peltoja. |
Disappearing K and RK
A single k often disappears in the weak nominative plural but remains in the strong partitive plural. Similarly, rk weakens to r but stays rk in the partitive plural.
| The pigs sleep on the farm. | Siat nukkuvat maatilalla. |
| We have a lot of pigs today. | Meillä on tänään paljon sikoja. |
| Those oxen stand in the meadow. | Nuo härät seisovat niityllä. |
| Do you see those oxen? | Näetkö noita härkiä? |
Double consonants like kk weaken to a single k in the nominative plural but stay double in the partitive plural.
| The roosters sit on the old fence. | Kukot istuvat vanhalla aidalla. |
| I do not want to listen to roosters. | En halua kuunnella kukkoja. |
The T and TT Shifts
A single t softens to d in the weak grade, while tt weakens to a single t. The partitive plural remains strong.
| The new fences are behind the cowshed. | Uudet aidat ovat navetan takana. |
| We are buying new fences tomorrow. | Ostamme huomenna uusia aitoja. |
| Cowsheds are often red. | Navetat ovat usein punaisia. |
| Why are you building these cowsheds? | Miksi rakennatte näitä navettoja? |
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