Striving and Applying: "pyrkiä"
In Finnish, verbs that express moving toward a goal, reaching a conclusion, or directing your focus require the destination to be in the illative case (the "into" case, usually ending in -Vn, -hVn, or -seen).
One of the most common goal-oriented verbs is pyrkiä (to strive for, to apply to). Whether you are applying to a university or striving for a certain salary, the target must be in the illative case.
| The study counselor asked which university I intend to apply to. | Opinto-ohjaaja kysyi, mihin yliopistoon aion pyrkiä. |
| They strive for a high salary level by doing overtime. | He pyrkivät korkeaan palkkatasoon tekemällä ylitöitä. |
Ending up: "päätyä"
When a situation leads you somewhere, you use the verb päätyä (to end up in). Because it describes the final destination or outcome of a process, it also demands the illative case.
| He applied to the university but ended up in the university of applied sciences. | Hän pyrki yliopistoon, mutta päätyi ammattikorkeakouluun. |
| Many students end up in a fixed-term job. | Monet opiskelijat päätyvät määräaikaiseen työhön. |
Settling: "tyytyä"
Sometimes you have to make a compromise. The verb tyytyä (to settle for, to be satisfied with) acts just like the previous verbs. In Finnish logic, you settle "into" a situation, so you must use the illative case for whatever it is you are settling for.
| Not even an intern settles for a bad salary level. | Ei edes harjoittelija tyydy huonoon palkkatasoon. |
| I never settle for a compromise, but aim for a dream profession. | En koskaan tyydy kompromissiin, vaan pyrin unelma-ammattiin. |
Orienting: "suuntautua"
When you set your sights on a specific field or objective, use the verb suuntautua (to orient oneself towards). As expected, the goal or field you are pointing yourself toward takes the illative case.
| He is orienting towards politics because he has a great goal. | Hän suuntautuu politiikkaan, koska hänellä on suuri päämäärä. |