Relative pronouns in local cases (jossa, josta)

The Relative Pronoun joka

The relative pronoun joka (who, which, that) connects a describing clause to a noun that was just mentioned. Like demonstrative pronouns, joka takes the case ending that fits its role in the new clause.

For local cases, the stem for joka is jo-.

CaseInnerOuter
Inessive / Adessivejossa (in which)jolla (on which)
Elative / Ablativejosta (from which)jolta (from on which)
Illative / Allativejohon (into which)jolle (onto which)

Inner Local Cases: jossa and josta

Use the inner cases when referring to buildings, enclosed spaces, or containers.

Jossa (inessive) means "in which" and often translates naturally to "where". To say a building or shop "has" something, use jossa on (in which there is).

That is a new bakery, which has an excellent atmosphere.
Tuo on uusi leipomo, jossa on erinomainen tunnelma.
This is the shop where the owner always serves the customer himself.
Tämä on myymälä, jossa omistaja palvelee asiakasta aina itse.

Josta (elative) means "from which". Use this when an action originates from a place, or when a verb (like pitää, to like) requires the elative case.

The shop is in an old building where you find high-quality tea.
Myymälä on vanhassa talossa, josta löydät laadukasta teetä.
That is the new barbershop that my brother likes a lot.
Tuo on uusi parturi, josta veljeni pitää paljon.

Outer Local Cases: jolla

Use the outer cases when describing open areas, surfaces, streets, and intersections.

main street
pääkatu

Jolla (adessive) means "on which". As with inner cases, use jolla on to mean "which has" when a street or open area has something on it.

This is the city's main street, which has a new shop.
Tämä on kaupungin pääkatu, jolla on uusi myymälä.
Is that the corner where the bakery is located?
Onko tuo se kulma, jolla leipomo sijaitsee?