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B1 verb 9分で読める

puuttua

例文 puuttua 30秒で
解説 puuttua in your Level:
At the A1 level, you only need to know 'puuttua' in its simplest 'missing' sense. It is often used to say that something is not there. For example, 'Tästä puuttuu maito' (Milk is missing from here). You don't need to worry about complex case endings yet, just remember that 'puuttuu' usually comes after the place where something is missing. It's very useful when you are shopping or checking a list. If you see a list of five items and you only have four, you can say 'Yksi puuttuu' (One is missing). This is the most basic building block. You might also hear it in the classroom if a student is absent: 'Kalle puuttuu tänään' (Kalle is missing/absent today). At this stage, focus on the 'is not here' meaning. Don't worry about the 'intervene' meaning yet, as that requires more advanced grammar and vocabulary to be useful.
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At the A2 level, you start to use 'puuttua' with specific cases like the Ablative (-lta/-ltä) to show who is missing something. You might say 'Minulta puuttuu kynä' (I am missing a pen). This is different from English because in English 'I' is the subject, but in Finnish, the 'pen' is the thing that 'puuttuu' from you. You also learn to use it with places in the Inessive case (-ssa/-ssä). For example, 'Tässä kirjassa puuttuu sivuja' (Pages are missing in this book). You are beginning to understand that 'puuttuu' is used for things that *should* be there but aren't. You might also encounter the negative form 'Ei puutu mitään' (Nothing is missing/Everything is here). This is a very common phrase when someone asks if you need anything else. You are building the foundation for the more abstract uses you will see in later levels.
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At the B1 level, you must master the second major meaning of 'puuttua': to intervene or meddle. This is where the Illative case (-an/-en/-iin) becomes crucial. You should be able to say 'Minun täytyy puuttua tähän' (I must intervene in this). This level requires you to distinguish between 'puuttuu' (it is missing) and 'puutun' (I intervene). You will use this in workplace contexts, such as 'Esimies puuttui ongelmaan' (The boss intervened in the problem). You also start using it with abstract concepts. For instance, 'Häneltä puuttuu rohkeutta' (He lacks courage). Here, you use the Partitive case for the abstract quality being lacked. B1 is the turning point where you move from simple physical absence to social and professional actions. You should also be familiar with the common idiom 'puuttua peliin' (to step in/intervene).
At the B2 level, you use 'puuttua' fluently in nuanced social and political discussions. You can discuss 'puuttumattomuus' (non-intervention) in political science or international relations. You understand the subtle difference between 'puuttua' (to intervene for a reason) and 'sekaantua' (to meddle or get mixed up in). You can use 'puuttua' in the passive voice, like 'Asiaan on jo puututtu' (The matter has already been intervened in/addressed). You also use it to describe deficiencies in complex systems, like 'Lainsäädännöstä puuttuu selkeä sääntö' (A clear rule is missing from the legislation). Your vocabulary around this word expands to include related words like 'puute' (shortage/lack) and 'puutteellinen' (deficient). You are comfortable using the verb in all its forms and with various case requirements without hesitation.
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At the C1 level, 'puuttua' is used to express precise legal, ethical, and academic concepts. You might analyze how a certain law 'puuttuu yksilönvapauteen' (infringes upon/intervenes in individual freedom). You understand the historical and literary contexts where 'puuttua' might mean 'to touch' or 'to affect'. You can use it in highly formal writing, such as 'On välttämätöntä puuttua rakenteelliseen epätasa-arvoon' (It is essential to intervene in structural inequality). You also recognize the word in complex idiomatic expressions and can use it to create sophisticated rhetorical effects. Your understanding of the rection (case requirements) is perfect, and you can explain the difference between 'puuttua johonkin' and 'puuttua jostakin' to lower-level learners. You use the word to describe not just physical absence, but the lack of specific nuances in an argument or a piece of art.
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At the C2 level, your mastery of 'puuttua' is indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You use it with effortless precision in all registers, from slang to the most formal academic discourse. You can appreciate the word's role in Finnish literature and how it can be used to describe existential lack or the heavy hand of fate. You might use it in philosophical discussions about what 'puuttuu' from the human condition. You are also aware of rare or archaic uses of the word and can interpret them correctly in historical texts. You can play with the word's dual meanings for humor or irony. For you, 'puuttua' is not just a verb with two meanings, but a flexible tool for describing the relationship between presence and absence, and between observation and action. You can navigate the most complex grammatical structures involving 'puuttua' with ease, including its use in participial phrases and complex subordinate clauses.
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例文

puuttua 30秒で

  • Puuttua means 'to be missing' when used with Ablative/Inessive cases for the location.
  • Puuttua means 'to intervene' or 'meddle' when used with the Illative case for the target.
  • In the 'missing' sense, it is usually used in the 3rd person singular (puuttuu).
  • It is a central word for discussing problems, social issues, and daily needs.

The Finnish verb puuttua is a fascinating linguistic chameleon that every intermediate learner must master. It primarily carries two distinct meanings that depend entirely on the grammatical cases used with it. For an English speaker, this can be initially confusing because we use two completely different verbs: "to be missing" and "to intervene" or "to meddle." Understanding puuttua requires you to look not just at the verb, but at the nouns surrounding it. When you are talking about something that is absent or lacking, you are using the 'missing' sense. When you are talking about someone getting involved in a situation to change its course, you are using the 'intervene' sense. This duality makes it a high-frequency word in both casual conversation and formal reporting.

The 'Missing' Sense (Lacking)
In this context, puuttua describes a state where a required component is not present. Grammatically, the person or place that is 'missing' something is put into the Ablative (-lta/-ltä) or Inessive (-ssa/-ssä) case, while the missing object is in the Partitive case. For example, if a book is missing a page, the page is 'puuttuu'. If you are missing money, the money 'puuttuu' from you. It is essential to note that this is a static state of absence, not the act of losing something (which would be kadottaa).
The 'Intervention' Sense (Meddling)
This sense is dynamic and active. It means to step into a situation, often to stop something bad from happening or to influence an outcome. Here, the target of the intervention is always in the Illative case (-an/-en/-iin etc.). If a teacher intervenes in a fight, they 'puuttua' tappeluun. If the government intervenes in the economy, they 'puuttua' talouteen. This usage is common in news, social work, and workplace discussions regarding conflict resolution.
The 'Touching' Sense (Physical/Abstract Contact)
Though less common in modern everyday speech compared to the first two, puuttua can also mean to touch or to concern. You might hear the phrase "Älä puutu minun asioihini!" which translates to "Don't meddle in my affairs!" (literally: don't touch my things/matters). In older texts, it could literally mean physical contact, but today it is almost exclusively abstract meddling.

Minulta puuttuu vielä kaksi euroa tästä summasta.

— "I am still missing two euros from this total."

Opettajan täytyi puuttua oppilaiden väliseen kiusaamiseen.

— "The teacher had to intervene in the bullying between the students."

Tästä sopimuksesta puuttuu allekirjoitus.

— "A signature is missing from this contract."

Poliisi puuttui mielenosoituksen kulkuun.

— "The police intervened in the course of the demonstration."

Häneltä ei puutu itseluottamusta.

— "He does not lack self-confidence."

In social contexts, puuttua carries a weight of responsibility. To 'puuttua peliin' (intervene in the game) is a common idiom meaning to take control of a situation that is spiraling. Conversely, saying something 'puuttuu' can be a neutral observation of inventory or a profound statement about emotional lack. Because of its versatility, you will find it in poetry, legal documents, grocery lists, and heated arguments alike. It is one of those verbs that defines the 'Finnish way' of being precise about the relationship between the actor and the action through case endings.

Mastering puuttua is a rite of passage for B1 learners because it forces you to think in Finnish 'rections' (case requirements). You cannot simply translate word-for-word from English. Let's break down the sentence structures for each primary meaning with detailed examples.

1. Meaning: To be missing or lacking

The structure here is: [Place/Person in Ablative/Inessive] + [puuttuu] + [Subject in Partitive]. Note that the verb is almost always in the third-person singular puuttuu, regardless of whether the missing things are plural, because it functions like an existential sentence.

Example: Physical Lack
"Keitosta puuttuu suolaa." (The soup is missing salt / There is a lack of salt in the soup.) Here, keitosta is Inessive (from inside the soup) and suolaa is Partitive.
Example: Possession Lack
"Minulta puuttuu avain." (I am missing a key / A key is missing from me.) Use the Ablative (-lta) for people.

Ryhmästä puuttuu kaksi jäsentä.

2. Meaning: To intervene or interfere

The structure here is: [Actor in Nominative] + [puuttua conjugated] + [Target in Illative]. In this case, the verb conjugates normally for all persons (minä puutun, sinä puutut, jne.).

Example: Social Intervention
"Meidän täytyy puuttua tähän epäkohtaan." (We must intervene in this grievance/flaw.) Epäkohtaan is the Illative form of epäkohta.
Example: Interrupting
"Hän puuttui puheeseeni." (He interrupted my speech / He 'intervened' into my speech.)

Älä puutu asioihin, jotka eivät kuulu sinulle.

A more advanced usage involves the passive voice or third-person generic: "Asiaan on puututtava" (The matter must be intervened in). This is very common in official recommendations. Also, pay attention to the negative form: "Mikään ei puutu" (Nothing is missing), which is a common way to say everything is perfect or complete.

You will encounter puuttua in a variety of real-life Finnish environments. Its dual meaning makes it indispensable for survival Finnish and professional communication alike. Here are the most common contexts where you will hear or read it.

In the Workplace
Managers often talk about puuttuminen when discussing workplace well-being. If there is harassment or poor performance, a supervisor is expected to puuttua tilanteeseen (intervene in the situation). You might also hear it in meetings when someone says, "Tästä raportista puuttuu tärkeitä lukuja" (This report is missing important figures).
In News and Politics
Journalists use puuttua constantly. "Valtio puuttuu markkinoiden toimintaan" (The state intervenes in the market's functioning). Or, "YK puuttui kriisiin" (The UN intervened in the crisis). It conveys a sense of official action being taken to correct a course of events.
Shopping and Logistics
If you order groceries online and something is out of stock, the delivery note might say: "Tilauksesta puuttui kaksi tuotetta" (Two products were missing from the order). In a store, you might ask a clerk: "Puuttuuko tästä hyllystä jotain?" (Is something missing from this shelf?).

Uutisissa kerrottiin, että poliisi joutui puuttumaan naapuruston meluun.

Lääkäri sanoi, että elimistöstäni puuttuu rautaa.

Lastly, in daily life, if you are cooking with a Finn and they taste your sauce, they might say: "Tästä puuttuu jotakin... ehkä pippuria?" (Something is missing from this... maybe pepper?). It's a very natural way to express that a flavor profile is incomplete. In social settings, if someone is being rude, a friend might say: "Nyt on pakko puuttua peliin" (Now I have to step in/intervene), signaling that they can no longer remain a passive observer.

Because puuttua has such specific case requirements, it is a minefield for errors. Here are the most frequent pitfalls and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1: Wrong Case for 'Intervene'
Learners often use the Adessive (-lla) or Inessive (-ssa) when they mean to intervene.
❌ Puutun tässä asiassa.
✅ Puutun tähän asiaan. (Illative). Think of it as 'moving into' the matter.
Mistake 2: Confusing 'Missing' with 'Lost'
If you lose your keys, you use kadottaa. Puuttua is for when the keys are simply not where they should be.
❌ Puutuin avaimeni. (This makes no sense).
✅ Minulta puuttuu avain. (I am missing a key).
Mistake 3: Forgetting the Partitive
When something is missing, the quantity is usually indefinite, requiring the partitive.
❌ Minulta puuttuu yksi euro. (Technically okay, but...)
✅ Minulta puuttuu euroa. (If you are emphasizing the lack of currency). Usually, if it's a specific count, Nominative is used, but for uncountable things (salt, time, money), Partitive is mandatory.

❌ Hän puuttui keskustelussa.
✅ Hän puuttui keskusteluun.

Another subtle mistake is using puuttua when you mean kaivata (to miss someone emotionally). If you miss your friend, you say "Kaipaan sinua," not "Minulta puutut sinä." The latter would imply your friend is a physical part of you that has been detached! Use puuttua for logical or physical absences, and kaivata or ikävöidä for emotional longing.

To truly master Finnish, you need to know when to use puuttua and when another word fits better. Here is a comparison with similar verbs.

Puuttua vs. Uupua
Puuttua: General missing or lacking.
Uupua: Often implies being exhausted or a more severe, systemic lack. While you can say "voimat uupuivat" (strength ran out), you'd say "suola puuttuu" (salt is missing).
Puuttua vs. Sekaantua
Puuttua: Can be positive or neutral intervention (e.g., stopping a fight).
Sekaantua: Usually negative; meddling where you don't belong or getting mixed up in something shady (e.g., sekaantua rikokseen - to be involved in a crime).
Puuttua vs. Vajata
Puuttua: Something is completely gone or absent.
Vajata: Something is short of a specific measure. "Tilistä vajaa kymppi" (The account is ten euros short of a certain goal).

Hän sekaantui tappeluun (He got mixed up in a fight - maybe he started it).
Hän puuttui tappeluun (He intervened in the fight - maybe to stop it).

In summary, use puuttua when you want to be direct about an absence or a necessary action. It is a 'utility' verb that covers a lot of ground. If you want to emphasize that something is *lacking* in quality, you might use the adjective puutteellinen (deficient). For example: "Hänen tietonsa ovat puutteelliset" (His knowledge is deficient/lacking).

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レベル別の例文

1

Maito puuttuu.

Milk is missing.

Simple subject + verb.

2

Yksi poika puuttuu.

One boy is missing.

Used for absence.

3

Tästä puuttuu sokeri.

Sugar is missing from here.

Tästä = from here (elative).

4

Puuttuuko jotain?

Is something missing?

Question form with -ko.

5

Kynä puuttuu pöydältä.

The pen is missing from the table.

Pöydältä = from the table (ablative).

6

Minulta puuttuu kaksi euroa.

I am missing two euros.

Minulta = from me (ablative).

7

Listalta puuttuu nimi.

A name is missing from the list.

Listalta = from the list (ablative).

8

Kaikki on täällä, mikään ei puutu.

Everything is here, nothing is missing.

Negative form 'ei puutu'.

1

Häneltä puuttuu passi.

He is missing his passport.

Ablative for the person lacking something.

2

Tästä keitosta puuttuu suolaa.

This soup is missing salt.

Partitive 'suolaa' for uncountable lack.

3

Meiltä puuttuu vielä yksi pelaaja.

We are still missing one player.

'Vielä' means 'still'.

4

Puuttuuko sinulta jotain tärkeää?

Are you missing something important?

Interrogative + Ablative.

5

Kirjasta puuttuu viimeinen sivu.

The book is missing the last page.

Inessive 'kirjasta' (from the book).

6

Palapelistä puuttuu kaksi palaa.

The puzzle is missing two pieces.

Existential sentence structure.

7

Häneltä puuttuu kokemusta.

He lacks experience.

Partitive for abstract lack.

8

Autosta puuttuu bensiiniä.

The car is lacking gas.

Inessive + Partitive.

1

Poliisin täytyi puuttua tappeluun.

The police had to intervene in the fight.

Illative 'tappeluun' for intervention.

2

Älä puutu minun asioihini!

Don't meddle in my affairs!

Imperative + Illative.

3

Opettaja puuttui kiusaamiseen heti.

The teacher intervened in the bullying immediately.

Past tense 'puuttui'.

4

Häneltä puuttuu itsekuria.

He lacks self-discipline.

Abstract lack in Partitive.

5

Meidän on puututtava tähän ongelmaan.

We must intervene in this problem.

Necessive structure (on puututtava).

6

Hän puuttui puheeseeni jatkuvasti.

He interrupted my speech constantly.

Illative 'puheeseeni'.

7

Suunnitelmasta puuttuu selkeä tavoite.

The plan is missing a clear goal.

Inessive + Nominative/Partitive.

8

Valtio puuttuu harvoin markkinoihin.

The state rarely intervenes in the markets.

Illative plural 'markkinoihin'.

1

On tärkeää puuttua epäkohtiin työpaikalla.

It is important to address grievances at the workplace.

Illative plural 'epäkohtiin'.

2

Häneltä puuttuu kyky nähdä omat virheensä.

He lacks the ability to see his own mistakes.

Abstract possession lack.

3

Keskusteluun puututtiin vasta myöhään.

The discussion was intervened in only late.

Passive past 'puututtiin'.

4

Tästä analyysistä puuttuu kriittinen ote.

This analysis lacks a critical touch.

Inessive 'analyysistä'.

5

Poliitikko kieltäytyi puuttumasta asiaan.

The politician refused to intervene in the matter.

Third infinitive 'puuttumasta' (elative).

6

Hän puuttui peliin juuri oikealla hetkellä.

He stepped in at just the right moment.

Idiom 'puuttua peliin'.

7

Raportista puuttuu useita tärkeitä yksityiskohtia.

The report is missing several important details.

Partitive plural 'yksityiskohtia'.

8

Vanhempien on puututtava lasten ruutuaikaan.

Parents must intervene in children's screen time.

Illative 'ruutuaikaan'.

1

Lainsäädännön on puututtava tiukemmin ympäristörikoksiin.

Legislation must intervene more strictly in environmental crimes.

Illative plural 'rikoksiin'.

2

Hänen argumentoinnistaan puuttuu looginen jatkuvuus.

His argumentation lacks logical continuity.

Inessive 'argumentoinnistaan'.

3

Onko valtiolla oikeus puuttua yksilön itsemääräämisoikeuteen?

Does the state have the right to intervene in an individual's right to self-determination?

Illative 'oikeuteen'.

4

Teoksesta puuttuu tekijän aiemmille töille tyypillinen huumori.

The work lacks the humor typical of the author's previous works.

Inessive 'teoksesta'.

5

Tuomari puuttui asianajajan sopimattomaan kielenkäyttöön.

The judge intervened in the lawyer's inappropriate use of language.

Illative 'kielenkäyttöön'.

6

Tutkimuksesta puuttuu riittävä otoskoko.

The study lacks a sufficient sample size.

Nominative subject.

7

EU on puuttunut jäsenmaiden välisiin kauppakiistoihin.

The EU has intervened in trade disputes between member states.

Perfect tense 'on puuttunut'.

8

Hän puuttui keskusteluun asiantuntijan varmuudella.

He intervened in the discussion with the certainty of an expert.

Illative 'keskusteluun'.

1

Kirjailija puuttuu teoksessaan yhteiskunnan syvimpiin kipupisteisiin.

The author addresses the deepest pain points of society in their work.

Illative plural 'kipupisteisiin'.

2

Metafyysisestä pohdinnasta puuttuu usein empiirinen perusta.

Metaphysical reflection often lacks an empirical foundation.

Inessive 'pohdinnasta'.

3

On kyseenalaista, tulisiko kenenkään puuttua luonnon valintaprosessiin.

It is questionable whether anyone should intervene in nature's selection process.

Conditional 'tulisiko puuttua'.

4

Hänen olemuksestaan puuttuu kaikki teeskentely.

His being lacks all pretense.

Inessive 'olemuksestaan'.

5

Sopimusehdot puuttuvat räikeästi työntekijöiden perusoikeuksiin.

The contract terms flagrantly infringe upon the basic rights of the employees.

Illative plural 'perusoikeuksiin'.

6

Tästä historiallisesta katsauksesta puuttuu monia keskeisiä vaikuttimia.

Many central motives are missing from this historical overview.

Partitive plural 'vaikuttimia'.

7

Hän ei voinut olla puuttumatta vääryyteen, jota todisti.

He could not help but intervene in the injustice he witnessed.

Double negative 'ei voinut olla puuttumatta'.

8

Esityksestä puuttui se sielukkuus, jota yleisö odotti.

The performance lacked the soulfulness that the audience expected.

Inessive + Nominative subject.

よく使う組み合わせ

puuttua peliin
puuttua asiaan
puuttua puheeseen
puuttua kiusaamiseen
puuttua epäkohtiin
puuttua listalta
puuttua valikoimasta
puuttua peliin
puuttua lainsäädännöllä
puuttua kulkuun

よく使うフレーズ

Mikään ei puutu.

— Everything is perfect/complete; nothing is missing.

Kaikki on valmista, mikään ei puutu.

Tästä puuttuu jotakin.

— Something is missing from this (often said about food).

Tästä keitosta puuttuu jotakin.

Puuttuuko jotain?

— Do you need anything else? / Is something missing?

Tässä on kahvi. Puuttuuko jotain?

Puuttua peliin.

— To take action in a situation that is going wrong.

Vanhempien piti puuttua peliin.

Nimi puuttuu.

— A name is missing (e.g., from a document).

Paperista puuttuu nimi.

Puuttua puheeseen.

— To interrupt someone while they are talking.

Hänellä on tapana puuttua puheeseen.

Häneltä puuttuu...

— He/she lacks... (a quality or item).

Häneltä puuttuu malttia.

Puuttua tilanteeseen.

— To intervene in a situation.

Vartija puuttui tilanteeseen.

Puuttua asioihin.

— To meddle in things (often negative).

Älä puutu minun asioihini.

Puuttua kokonaan.

— To be completely missing.

Tieto puuttuu kokonaan.

慣用句と表現

"puuttua peliin"

— To intervene or step in when something is not going well.

Hallituksen oli pakko puuttua peliin talouskriisissä.

neutral
"puuttua puheeseen"

— To interrupt or cut someone off.

Älä aina puutu puheeseeni!

neutral
"ei puutu kuin..."

— The only thing missing is... (often sarcastic).

Tästä ei puutu kuin sirkus!

informal
"puuttua asioihin"

— To meddle where one is not wanted.

Hän puuttuu aina muiden asioihin.

neutral
"puuttua jonkun oikeuksiin"

— To infringe upon someone's rights.

Laki puuttuu kansalaisten oikeuksiin.

formal
"puuttua tiukasti"

— To intervene strictly/firmly.

Kiusaamiseen puututaan tiukasti.

formal
"puuttua luvatta"

— To meddle without permission.

Hän puuttui luvatta tiedostoihin.

neutral
"puuttua virheisiin"

— To address or correct errors.

Editori puuttui tekstin virheisiin.

neutral
"puuttua kulkuun"

— To alter the course of events.

Kohtalo puuttui asioiden kulkuun.

literary
"puuttua sormineen"

— To have one's fingers in (meddling).

Hän puuttuu sormineen jok

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