Describing Plural Subjects
When a plural subject is described by an adjective after the verb olla (to be), that adjective must be in the partitive plural.
Notice how the subjects below are in the nominative plural, but the adjectives describing them take a partitive plural ending.
| These boots are really worn out. | Nämä saappaat ovat todella kuluneita. |
| Are these earrings solid-colored? | Ovatko nämä korvakorut yksivärisiä? |
This pattern is essential when talking about items that come in pairs, like boots, earrings, or mittens.
| Those mittens are striped and colorful. | Nuo lapaset ovat raidallisia ja värikkäitä. |
Inherently Plural Words
Some Finnish words are grammatically plural even when referring to a single item. Common examples include silmälasit (glasses), sukkahousut (tights), housut (pants), and sakset (scissors).
Because these nouns are plural, adjectives describing them with olla also follow the partitive plural rule.
| Those glasses are new. | Nuo silmälasit ovat uusia. |
| The tights are wet. | Sukkahousut ovat märkiä. |
| Are the scissors dirty? | Ovatko sakset likaisia? |
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