The Relative Pronoun in the Partitive Singular: Jota
Just like regular nouns, the relative pronoun joka (which, that, or who) must take the partitive case if the verb in the relative clause requires it. This happens when the relative pronoun is the object of an ongoing action, the object of a partitive verb (like etsiä, to look for, or rakastaa, to love), the object of a negative sentence, or when it refers to an uncountable substance.
The partitive singular form of joka is jota. Remember that relative clauses are always separated from the main sentence with a comma.
| The flea market that I am looking for is in the city center. | Kirpputori, jota etsin, on keskustassa. |
| This vase is old porcelain, which I love. | Tämä maljakko on vanhaa posliinia, jota rakastan. |
| He buys antiques that I do not understand. | Hän ostaa antiikkia, jota en ymmärrä. |
The Relative Pronoun in the Partitive Plural: Joita
When the relative pronoun refers back to a plural noun, use the plural partitive form joita. You will use this often when talking about undefined amounts of plural objects, interacting with a group of things, or talking about hobbies like collecting.
| to collect (as a hobby) | keräillä |
| I have old coins that I collect. | Minulla on vanhoja kolikoita, joita keräilen. |
| These are rare items that I do not sell. | Nämä ovat harvinaisia esineitä, joita en myy. |
| Do you have rare stamps that you want to sell? | Onko sinulla harvinaisia postimerkkejä, joita haluat myydä? |