Stating Measurements and Ages
To state the exact dimensions or age of someone or something, Finnish uses a straightforward formula: Number + Unit of Measurement + Adjective of Dimension.
Because numbers greater than one require the partitive case, the unit of measurement (like meters or years) will be in the partitive. The adjective at the end describes the dimension, such as pitkä (long), leveä (wide), or vanha (old).
This exact same syntax is used for stating ages:
Tailoring Vocabulary
When visiting a tailor (räätäli), you will need specific vocabulary for parts of garments, such as hiha (sleeve), helma (hem), and lahje (trouser leg). These words seamlessly plug into our measurement formula. Note that sentti is the spoken or common form of senttimetri (centimeter).
Verbs for Alterations
If a garment doesn't fit, a tailor can adjust it. Finnish forms verbs from adjectives to describe these alterations, typically ending in -ntaa or -ntää. For example, from leveä (wide) comes leventää (to let out), and you will also see kaventaa (to take in) and pidentää (to lengthen).
Negative commands always require the partitive case for the object.
