Verb Type 4 infinitives end in a vowel followed by -ta/-tä (like tilata or haluta).
To form the past tense, use the marker -si-. You can easily build the past stem from the present tense:
- Start with the present tense stem (e.g., tilaa-).
- Drop the final vowel (e.g., tila-).
- Add -si- and your personal ending (e.g., -n).
Take tilata (to order):
- Present stem: tilaa-
- Past stem: tilasi-
- Past form: tilasin (I ordered)
For the third-person singular (hän, se), simply stop at the -si marker. There is no personal ending or vowel doubling in the past tense.
| I ordered the tickets for the festival already in January. | Tilasin liput festivaalille jo tammikuussa. |
| The band wanted to go on stage early. | Bändi halusi mennä lavalle aikaisin. |
Consonant Gradation
Type 4 verbs use the strong grade in all conjugated forms, even though their infinitives are in the weak grade.
For example, tavata (to meet) has a weak v in its infinitive, but changes to a strong p in its present and past stems:
- Present stem: tapaa-
- Past stem: tapasi-
- Past forms: tapasin (I met), tapasit (you met)
| I met the musician and an old acquaintance. | Tapasin muusikon ja vanhan tuttavan. |
| What time did you meet the musician? | Mihin aikaan tapasit muusikon? |
Other Type 4 verbs follow this same -si- pattern, such as varata (varasi-), vastata (vastasi-), pilata (pilasi-), and herätä (heräsi-):
| What time did you reserve the hotel and order food? | Mihin aikaan varasit hotellin ja tilasit ruoan? |
| You answered that the bad weather ruined the festival. | Vastasit, että huono sää pilasi festivaalin. |
| The musician woke up early, because he has to practice today. | Muusikko heräsi aikaisin, koska hänen täytyy harjoitella tänään. |
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