Allative Case
Allative case: direction onto/to (-lle), recipient
I can express direction to surfaces and recipients.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Annan lahjan sinulle.
I give a gift to you.
Menen torille.
I go to the market square.
Soitan äidille.
I call mom.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Allative Case
Ending: -lle. Direction onto a surface (to the market) and recipient (to you, to him). Counterpart: ablative -lta (from surface) and adessive -lla (on surface).
Confusing allative (-lle = onto) with illative (-Vn = into). Using allative for 'into' situations.
Common Error Patterns
Confusing allative (-lle) with illative (-Vn)
Onto surface/open area = -lle. Into enclosed space = illative (-Vn/-seen).
Annan lahjan sinulle.
I give a gift to you.
Sinä → sinulle (allative -lle). Recipient = allative, like English 'to you'.
Menen torille.
I go to the market square.
Tori → torille (allative -lle). Open/outdoor places use -lle (onto), not -Vn (into).
Soitan äidille.
I call mom.
Äiti → äidille (allative). 'Soittaa + allative' = call someone.
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises