Resulting states (jäädä / jättää + -ksi)

Resulting States with "Jäädä" and "Jättää"

In Finnish, the translative case (ending in -ksi) is used to express a change of state, a new role, or a condition that someone ends up in.

The verbs jäädä (to remain, to be left as) and jättää (to leave someone/something as) are strongly paired with this case. When an action results in a specific state, the noun or adjective describing that state must take the -ksi ending.

He became an orphan, so he lived with his grandmother.
Hän jäi orvoksi, joten hän asui isoäidin luona.

If the resulting state applies to a plural noun, the translative ending becomes -iksi.

The war left many children orphans.
Sota jätti monia lapsia orvoiksi.

Conditions and Adjectives

You can attach the translative ending directly to adjectives to describe how someone or something is left feeling, looking, or functioning.

I was surprised, so I was left completely speechless.
Yllätyin, joten jäin täysin sanattomaksi.
One became unemployed and the other became homeless.
Toinen jäi työttömäksi ja toinen jäi kodittomaksi.

This structure works exactly the same way when you are the one causing the result (using jättää).

Why did you leave the project unfinished?
Miksi jätit projektin keskeneräiseksi?

Changing Roles

This grammar pattern is very commonly used to discuss major life events, especially when someone unexpectedly transitions into a new role or situation.

She became a single parent when her spouse died.
Hän jäi yksinhuoltajaksi, kun hänen puolisonsa kuoli.

Permanent and Unchanged Results

You will frequently see the translative used with descriptive adjectives ending in -vä (like pysyvä, permanent) or -ton (like muuttumaton, unchanged) to establish whether a condition changes or stays the same over time.

The situation became permanent, so we had to get used to it.
Tilanne jäi pysyväksi, joten meidän täytyi tottua siihen.
We will leave the price unchanged until the following year.
Jätämme hinnan muuttumattomaksi seuraavaan vuoteen saakka.

Abstract Conditions

The same rules apply to abstract situations. You can use the translative with jäädä and jättää to talk about being left "in the dark" (unaware) or a detail going unnoticed.

Do not leave me in the dark!
Älä jätä minua epätietoiseksi!
The mistake remained unnoticed, so the news was published.
Virhe jäi huomaamattomaksi, joten uutinen julkaistiin.