Verbs requiring the illative case (mihin)

Verb Rections: The Illative Case

In English, specific verbs pair with specific prepositions (you listen to music, but wait for a bus). In Finnish, this concept is called verb rection. Instead of prepositions, Finnish verbs demand that their accompanying nouns take a specific case.

Many high-frequency verbs—especially those describing a transition, a reaction, or directing your attention—require the illative case (the "into" case, answering the question mihin?).

For example, the verb tottua (to get used to) requires the illative. You don't get used to everyday life; in Finnish, you get used into it.

Adapting and Exploring

When moving abroad or experiencing a new culture, you will likely use the verbs sopeutua (to adapt to) and tutustua (to get to know). Both of these also require the illative case.

Notice how adjectives modifying the noun must also match and take the illative ending (e.g., uuteen kulttuuriin, paikallisiin ihmisiin).

Falling in Love and Becoming Fond

Verbs expressing strong positive reactions, like rakastua (to fall in love with) and ihastua (to become fond of), follow the exact same rule.

If you want to ask who someone fell in love with, the pronoun kuka (who) becomes keneen (into whom) in the illative case.

Trusting and Tiring

Some illative verbs are particularly counter-intuitive for English speakers.

To say you trust someone, use luottaa. In Finnish, you trust into a person. Similarly, if you get tired of a situation, use väsyä. You do not get tired of the rules or the weather; you tire into them.