To describe things currently "in the making," Finnish uses a specific adverbial form for actions that are underway.
Ongoing Processes (-eilla / -eillä)
To indicate that something is in progress, Finnish takes a verb, turns it into a noun, and puts it into the plural adessive case. These forms typically end in -eilla or -eillä and are used with the verb olla (to be).
| Verb | Ongoing Form | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| tehdä (to make) | tekeillä | in the making |
| suunnitella (to plan) | suunnitteilla | in the planning stage |
You will frequently see these paired with the adverb parhaillaan ("currently" or "at this very moment").
| A new manuscript is currently in the making. | Uusi käsikirjoitus on parhaillaan tekeillä. |
| The secret plot is not yet in the planning stage. | Salajuoni ei ole vielä suunnitteilla. |
Possessive Suffixes (-eillään)
These ongoing forms sometimes take a possessive suffix (like -ään or -an). A common example is meneillään (underway), derived from mennä (to go).
| A secret plot is underway. | Salajuoni on meneillään. |
If a specific person has something in the works, use the "have" structure (hänellä on, minulla on) and add the matching possessive suffix. For example, tekeillä becomes tekeillään with hänellä (he/she has).
| He has a cinematic work in the making. | Hänellä on tekeillään elokuvamainen teos. |
Common Process Words
This structure is very common for projects, exhibitions, and development:
- valmisteilla (in preparation)
- kehitteillä (under development)
- rakenteilla (under construction)
- näytteillä (on display)
| The author's biography is currently in preparation. | Kirjailijan elämäkerta on parhaillaan valmisteilla. |
| Is the new application under development or on display? | Onko uusi sovellus kehitteillä vai näytteillä? |
| The new hospital is only in the planning stage, not under construction. | Uusi sairaala on vasta suunnitteilla, ei rakenteilla. |