Genitive case: possession (-n), with postpositions
I can use genitive for possession and completed objects.
Look at these examples. Can you spot the grammar pattern?
Tämä on Matin auto.
This is Matti's car.
Koiran nimi on Musti.
The dog's name is Musti.
Luin kirjan loppuun.
I read the book to the end.
Pay attention to the highlighted parts. What do they have in common?
Ending: -n. Used for possession (koiran nimi = dog's name), with postpositions (talon edessä = in front of the house), and as completed object (Luin kirjan = I read the book). Note: consonant gradation may change the stem.
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises
Practice ExercisesForgetting -n ending. Not applying consonant gradation in genitive stem. Confusing genitive and partitive for objects.
Forgetting genitive -n
Genitive always ends in -n.
Not applying consonant gradation
Genitive uses weak grade: kirkko → kirkon, kauppa → kaupan.
Tämä on Matin auto.
This is Matti's car.
Matti → Matin (genitive -n). Possession: owner in genitive + thing owned.
Koiran nimi on Musti.
The dog's name is Musti.
Koira → koiran (genitive -n). Musti is a common Finnish dog name.
Luin kirjan loppuun.
I read the book to the end.
Kirja → kirjan (genitive = completed object). Compare: luen kirjaa (partitive = still reading).
Practice in course
Apply this grammar in A1 course exercises