The Adessive Case (-lla / -llä)
To say that someone or something is "on" a surface or "at" an open location, Finnish uses the adessive case. Attach -lla or -llä to the end of the noun.
Vowel harmony determines which ending to use:
- Words with back vowels (a, o, u) take -lla.
- Words with front vowels (ä, ö, y) or only neutral vowels (i, e) take -llä.
We use this external location case for open public spaces like a market square (tori) or a station (asema).
| We are at the market square. | Me olemme torilla. |
| Is the train at the station? | Onko juna asemalla? |
Consonant Gradation in Nouns
Adding location endings to nouns triggers consonant gradation. If the basic form has a strong consonant combination (like kk or tt), it shifts to the weak grade (like k or t) before the -lla / -llä ending.
- pysäkki (stop) → pysäkillä
- kenttä (field) → kentällä
| The bus is now at the stop. | Bussi on nyt pysäkillä. |
| The boy is sitting on the field. | Poika istuu kentällä. |
Surfaces Inside the Home
The adessive case is used for surfaces inside a building, such as a sofa (sohva), the floor (lattia), and the wall (seinä). Because objects rest on these surfaces, they require -lla / -llä.
| Who is sitting on the sofa? | Kuka istuu sohvalla? |
| The cat does not sleep on the sofa, it sleeps on the floor. | Kissa ei nuku sohvalla, se nukkuu lattialla. |
| The picture is on the wall. | Kuva on seinällä. |
Outdoor Areas and Roads
Outdoor areas like a yard (piha) or a road (tie) are treated as open spaces and take the adessive case.
Remember to watch out for consonant gradation with outdoor surfaces, too. Notice how the double t in katto (roof) becomes a single t:
- katto (roof) → katolla
| Where is the dog? Is it in the yard? | Missä koira on? Onko se pihalla? |
| The man is standing on the road. | Mies seisoo tiellä. |
| The cat is on the roof. | Kissa on katolla. |