The translative case‘s ending is -ksi. It’s used to express a change in state or a transition. This form appears in a wide range of sentence constructions. In this article, we take a closer look at verb rections that require the translative.

In addition to verb rections, there are also some other verb constructions and some participle uses that require the translative case.

1. Translative Verb Rections

1.1. valmistua + translative (to graduate as)

The translative is used with the verb valmistua because semantically it means a change from one state to another: first you are a student, then you’re not anymore (#1). You can also use the verb valmistua with the mistä-form (the elative case) when you express where you graduate from (#2).

1.2. opiskella + translative (to study to be a)

The translative is used when you’re talking about the goal (the profession) of your studies: what you are studying to be (#1).The verb opiskella can also be a partitive verb when you’re referring to the subject you’re studying (#2).

1.3. erikoistua + translative (to specialize to become a)

The verb erikoistua is often used by people studying medicine to say that they want to specialize to be a certain kind of doctor (#1). Perhaps more common, you can use the mihin-form (the inessive case) to describe the field you are specializing in (#2).

1.4. ryhtyä/ruveta + translative (to become a)

The verbs ryhtyä and ruveta are generally translated as “to start doing” and in this context they most commonly appear with the mihin-form of a verb (read more here) or activity (#1).

However, they can be used to express that you “start to be something” aka “become something” (#2). For example, you can start your own business, which means you’re “starting to be” a businessman).

Both of these verbs have the connotation that it’s a clear change which you start yourself. Of the two, ryhtyä is slightly more common with the translative, and ruveta slightly more common with the mihin-form.

1.5. päästä + translative (to achieve becoming a)

The verb päästä is hard to translate because it has many meaning. You can use it to express that you became something (#1). In these cases, it implies that you never had any certainty that you would achieve it. When you “pääset” with the translative, it’s a reason to celebrate!

The verb päästä does have multiple other uses (for example with the mihin form #2), which will be the topic of a different article eventually.

1.6. muuttua + translative (to change into a)

The verb muuttua implies that the change happens without the subject actively seeking the change. The change can be both permanent and temporary, but is generally gradual.

1.7. vaihtua + translative (to switch into)

The verb vaihtua also means “to change, to be switched into”. This is often the case for things that change from one into another on a semi-regular basis (eg. prices change, the seasons change). The verb vaihtua generally means that we can’t swap things back right away (#1).

Often, you will find vaihtua in sentences that don’t indicate the end result of the change (#2) we’re talking about. The change can be indicated in later sentences, but often it’s not included in the same sentence (#3). If it is included, it is very common to appear in the mihin-form (the illative case).

1.8. kehittyä + translative (to develop into a)

Kehittyä can be used to express a development into. You can use this verb in two ways. First, you can use the translative to express what we’re developing into (#1). A change is happening and, thus, we use the translative. Second, you can use it with the mistä-form (the elative case) of the word we’re developing from (#2).

1.9. kasvaa + translative (to grow into a)

The verb kasvaa means “to grow into”. We can use both the mistä-form (the elative case) to express the beginning of whatever’s growing (#1), and the translative case to express what it is growing into (#2).

In addition, it’s very common to use the verb kasvaa to describe what kind of an environment someone or something grows in (#3). In that case, we will use the missä-form.

1.10. yletä + translative (to advance into a position)

The verb yletä refers to gaining additional status through eg. a raise or a promotion. The translative is used to mark the new title you gain through your promotion (#1). You’re becoming a different thing, if you will, which warrants the use of the translative. Alternatively, we can use the mihin-form (the illative case) to express the kind of work you will be doing (#2).

1.11. osoittautua + translative (to turn out to be a)

The verb osoittautua means to “turn out a certain way” and expresses that we had certain expectations that were not fulfilled. The translative is a logical choice here because things turn out to be different than we thought. There’s no change happening to the actual thing, but there is a change in our perception of it.

1.12. sopia + translative (to be suitable to be a)

In combination with the translative, sopia is used to mean “to be suitable/fit for something”. We use the translative because we’re seeing is someone is fit to become something (#1). It also has different uses, eg. “to agree” or “to fit together”. These other usages don’t come with the translative. One of the most common uses by far is with the mihin-form (#2). Those will be the topic of a future article for sure!

1.12. hajota + translative (to break down into)

The verb hajota can come with a translative result of the breakage (#1). We use the translative because there is a change happening from one whole thing into multiple pieces. However, you will often come across this verb without it mentioning the result of the breakage (#2). It just broke.

1.13. yhdistyä + translative (to merge into something)

The verb yhdistyä generally requires the translative in sentences with multiple subjects: the two subjects merge into something together (#1). There’s a change happening from two things into one. When the subject of the sentence is in the singular, we typically use the mihin-form or kanssa for what it merges into (#2).

1.14. paljastua + translative

1.15. leimautua + translative

tunnustautua

jäädä

2. Partitive + translative verb rections

Some verbs require two rections. In this section, you will find verbs that require the partitive case for the object of the sentence, and the translative for the adverb.

2.1. luulla + partitive + translative

The verb luulla “to think” in the past tense is used to express that you thought something that turned out not to be true. We use the translative here because what we think is a “change” or “difference” from what reality showed.

2.2. epäillä + partitive + translative (to suspect of being a)

The verb epäillä “to suspect” is used in three ways. First, in combination with the mistä-form (the elative case) to express what someone is suspected of (eg. murder, theft). Second, in combination with the että-participle to express what someone is suspect of having done. (eg. killing, stealing). The usage with the translative is less common, but fairly easy to understand: it expresses what someone is suspected of being (eg. a murderer, a thief).

2.2. sanoa + partitive + translative

The verb “sanoa” (to say) is used for accusations which could actually be true.

2.3. väittää + partitive + translative

When using the verb “väittää” (to claim), you’re expressing that you’re not taking sides as to whether the accusation is true or not.

2.4. nimittää + partitive + translative

The verb “nimittää” (to name, call) is used for when you call someone by a different name than their official name. It’s usually used when the nickname is either completely new, or in the very least new to the person you are talking to.

2.5. kutsua + partitive + translative

The verb “kutsua” will be used exactly like “nimittää”, only it expresses that the use of the alternative name is already well-established.

3. Object + translative verb rections

This section is meant for other verbs with what you call a double rection: verbs with a normal object in addition to the translative. The object can appear in the basic form (or accusative), the partitive or the genetive, according to the general object rules.

3.1. kääntää + object + translative

3.2. maalata + object + translative

3.3. määrätä + object + translative

This is another verb with many meaning. In this context, the verb “määrätä” means to appoint someone or to be appointed.

3.4. todeta + object + translative

One of the uses of the verb “todeta” is with the translative in order to express that something was declared to be a certain way.

3.5. äänestää + object + translative

The verb “äänestää” can be used with the partitive: “Äänestän presidenttiä”, which refers to the act of voting. When adding the translative, we’re voting someone (the object of the sentence) for a certain position (which will appear in the translative).

3.6. tuntea + itse + translative

Some learners of Finnish find they have a hard time to express their feelings in Finnish. The verb “tuntea” is one way to do so, but it will require this specific sentence construction, which includes the pronoun “itse”. You will need to add the appropriate possessive suffix to this.

3.7. kouluttaa + object + translative

“Poliisiopisto koulutti Pekan poliisiksi.”

“Isä koulutti molemmat lapsensa lääkäriksi.”

3.8. tehdä + object + translative

“Tein ruoan valmiiksi.”

“Hän teki minut onnelliseksi.”

3.9. leikata + object + translative (to cut into a)

“Leikkasin tukan lyhyeksi.”

“Hän leikkasi makkaran ohuiksi siivuiksi.”

“Leikkaa leipä viipaleiksi!”

“Liha leikataan kapeiksi suikaleiksi.”

3.9. kuvitella + object + translative

kuvata

4. The verb tulla

The verb “tulla” gets its own section on this page because the same phrase can be said both using the translative and the mistä-form (the elative case). In addition, there is the participle construction “tulla tehneeksi/tehdyksi”, which will be discussed elsewhere.