Partitiivi vai genetiivi?

I already have a post about the object, but here are some simple examples about the difference between the genitive and partitive cases in an object sentence:

• Mä haluan ton kirjan. - I want that book.
• Mä en halua tota kirjaa. - I don't want that book. (Because the sentence is negative.)

• Mikko osti kanan. - Mikko bought a chicken. (A whole bird.)
• Mikko osti kanaa. - Mikko bought chicken. (Some chicken meat.)

• Mä ostan kahvin. - I'll buy a cup of coffee. 
• Mä ostan kahvia. - I'll buy some coffee. 

• Luin junassa kirjan. - I read a book on the train. (I finished the book.)
• Luin junassa kirjaa. - I was reading a book on the train. (Haven't finished the book yet.)

• Poliisi ampui miehen. - A police shot a man. (And the man died.)
• Poliisi ampui miestä. - A police shot at a man. (The man is hurt but alive.)

p.s. My post Describing things has more about the fascinating partitive case!

About the author of Random Finnish Lesson: 

My name is Hanna Männikkölahti. I am a professional Finnish teacher who gives private online lessons and simplifies books into easy Finnish. Please read more in www.linktr.ee/hannamannikkolahti and follow this blog, if you want to be the first one to know when I post something new.