Here's how to answer the question where? in Finnish.
These words usually take the internal ending ssa or ssä:
- saunassa - in the sauna
- museossa - in the museum
- teatterissa - in the theatre
- oopperassa - in the opera
- koulussa - at the school
- kirjastossa - in the library
- kaupassa - in the store
- baarissa - in the bar
- matkakeskuksessa - in the travel center
- ravintolassa - in the restaurant
- apteekissa - in the pharmacy
- autotallissa - in the garage
- uimahallissa - in the swimming hall
- elokuvateatterissa - in the movie theatre
- huoneessa - in the room
- keittiössä - in the kitchen
- hotellissa - at the hotel.
- pubissa - in the pub
- vessassa - in the toilet
- päiväkodissa - in the kindergarten
- hississä - in the elevator
- narikassa - at the coat check
- omakotitalossa - in a single house (own home house)
- sairaalassa - in the hospital
- konsertissa - at the concert
- järvessä - in the lake (in the water)
- joessa - in the river (in the water)
These ones are usually outside, but still take the internal ending:
- puistossa - at the park
- puutarhassa - in the garden
- eläintarhassa - in the zoo
- satamassa - at the harbour
- keskustassa - in the city centre
- metsässä - in the forest
- torilla - at the market square
- kadulla - on the street
- vuorella - on the mountain (but Laajavuoressa, if you live there.)
- joella - by the river
- yliopistolla - at the university
- rannalla - on the beach
- mökillä - at the summer cottage (the area, not just the cabin)
- järvellä - by the lake, on the lake
- parvekkeella - on the balcony
- terassilla - on the terrace
This ending is used even if you are inside:
- kuntosalilla - at the gym
- klubilla - at the club
- lentoasemalla - at the plane station
- rautatieasemalla - at the railway station
- huoltoasemalla - at the gas station
- kioskilla - at the kiosk
- kurssilla - taking a course
Of course, there has to be an exception:
- kotona - at home
Notice the difference between these sentences:
- Olen töissä yliopistossa. - I work in the university. (University is an institution.)
- Olin koko päivän yliopistolla. - I spent the whole day at the university. (University is a place.)
- Tavataan toimistossa. - Let's meet in the office. (Inside.)
- Tavataan toimistolla. - Let's meet at the office. (Also inside, but could also be by the coffee machine, not necessary in the actual office room.)
Related posts:
- Finnish local endings
- Mökki
- Koti
- The eleven most useful cases
- Consonant change in nouns
- The adessive ending LLA