Reconstruction:Proto-Finnic/-n

This Proto-Finnic entry contains reconstructed terms and roots. As such, the term(s) in this entry are not directly attested, but are hypothesized to have existed based on comparative evidence.

Proto-Finnic

Etymology 1

Conflated:

• from Proto-Uralic *-n (genitive marker).
• from Proto-Uralic *-m (accusative marker).

Suffix

*-n

1. Genitive ending.
2. Accusative singular ending.

Descendants

• Estonian: (genitive case; transphonologized and exhibited by a stem change)
• Finnish: -n
• Ingrian: -n
• Karelian:
  • North Karelian: -n
  • South Karelian: -n
• Livonian: (genitive case; transphonologized and exhibited by a stem change)
• Livvi: -n
• Ludian: -n
• Veps: -n
• Võro: (genitive case; transphonologized and exhibited by a stem change)
• Votic: (genitive case; transphonologized and exhibited by a stem change)

Etymology 2

Probably a Finnic development from the genitive ending (see *-n).

Suffix

*-n

1. Instructive case ending.

Descendants

• Finnish: -n
• Ingrian: -n
• Karelian:
  • North Karelian: -n
  • South Karelian: -n

Etymology 3

From Proto-Uralic *-m.

Suffix

*-n

1. First-person singular verb ending.

Usage notes

• Attached after a tense or mood marker, except in the present indicative, where it attaches directly to the verb stem.

Descendants

• Estonian: -n
• Finnish: -n
• Ingrian: -n
• Karelian:
  • North Karelian: -n
  • South Karelian: -n
• Livvi: -n
• Ludian: -n
• Veps: -n
• Võro: (transphonologized and exhibited by a stem change)
• Votic: -n

Further reading

• Hakulinen, Lauri. 1941–2000. Suomen kielen rakenne ja kehitys ('The Structure and Development of the Finnish Language'). Helsinki: Otava/Helsingin yliopisto.