Language/Finnish/Grammar/Finnish-Participles

Finnish → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Intermediate Finnish → Finnish Participles

Introduction

Welcome to the lesson on Finnish Participles! In this lesson, we will explore the fascinating world of Finnish grammar and delve into the intricacies of participles. Participles are verb forms that can be used to form more complex sentences and convey additional information about actions and states. By mastering the use of participles, you will be able to express yourself more effectively and add depth to your Finnish language skills.

Throughout this lesson, we will cover the different types of participles in Finnish, their formation, and their usage in various sentence structures. We will provide clear explanations and numerous examples to help you understand and apply the concepts. Additionally, we will delve into the cultural aspects of participles, exploring any regional variations and historical reasons for these differences. We will also share interesting cultural facts and anecdotes related to the topic, making your learning experience both informative and enjoyable.

So let's get started on our journey to mastering Finnish participles!

Finnish Participles

Formation

In Finnish, there are two types of participles: the present participle and the past participle. The present participle is formed by adding the suffix "-va/-vä" to the verb stem, while the past participle is formed by adding the suffix "-nut/-nyt" to the verb stem. Let's take a look at some examples:

Present Participle

Finnish	Pronunciation	English
lukea (to read)	lukeva	reading
kirjoittaa (to write)	kirjoittava	writing
puhua (to speak)	puhuva	speaking

Past Participle

Finnish	Pronunciation	English
lukea (to read)	lukenut	read
kirjoittaa (to write)	kirjoittanut	written
puhua (to speak)	puhunut	spoken

As you can see, the formation of the present and past participles is relatively straightforward. By adding the appropriate suffix to the verb stem, we can transform the verb into a participle form.

Usage

Now that we have learned how to form participles in Finnish, let's explore their usage in more detail. Participles can be used in various ways to provide additional information about actions and states in a sentence. Here are some common uses of participles:

Adjectival Use

Participles can be used as adjectives to describe or modify nouns in a sentence. In this case, the participle agrees with the noun in case, number, and gender. Let's look at some examples:

• The reading book is on the table.

 : Luetava kirja on pöydällä.
 : The word "luetava" is the present participle of the verb "lukea" (to read) and it agrees with the noun "kirja" (book) in case and number.

• The written letter is in the mailbox.

 : Kirjoitettu kirje on postilaatikossa.
 : The word "kirjoitettu" is the past participle of the verb "kirjoittaa" (to write) and it agrees with the noun "kirje" (letter) in case and number.

Verbal Use

Participles can also be used as verbs in a sentence, expressing actions or states. In this case, the participle agrees with the subject of the sentence in person and number. Let's see some examples:

• The dog is barking.

 : Koira haukkuu.
 : The word "haukkuu" is the present tense form of the verb "haukkua" (to bark).

• The door has been opened.

 : Ovi on avattu.
 : The word "avattu" is the past participle of the verb "avata" (to open) and it agrees with the subject "ovi" (door) in person and number.

Nominal Use

Participles can also be used as nouns in a sentence, referring to a person or thing that is performing the action or experiencing the state. In this case, the participle agrees with the noun in case, number, and gender. Let's take a look at some examples:

• The reader is waiting for the bus.

 : Lukija odottaa bussia.
 : The word "lukija" is the present participle of the verb "lukea" (to read) and it refers to a person who is performing the action of reading.

• The speaker is talking to the audience.

 : Puhuja puhuu yleisölle.
 : The word "puhuja" is the present participle of the verb "puhua" (to speak) and it refers to a person who is performing the action of speaking.

Cultural Insights

Finnish participles are an integral part of the Finnish language and play a significant role in expressing actions and states. They provide a means to convey additional information and add depth to sentences. In Finnish culture, participles are widely used in literature, poetry, and everyday conversation to create vivid and descriptive descriptions.

It is interesting to note that Finnish participles are highly inflected, agreeing with the noun they modify or refer to in case, number, and gender. This level of inflection adds complexity to the language but also allows for precise and nuanced expression. It is a testament to the rich grammatical structure of the Finnish language.

In addition to their grammatical importance, participles also reflect the cultural values of the Finnish people. Finnish culture values clarity, precision, and attention to detail, which are all traits that can be observed in the use of participles. By understanding and mastering participles, you not only gain linguistic proficiency but also gain insights into the Finnish way of thinking and expressing themselves.

Exercises

Now it's time to put your knowledge of Finnish participles into practice! Complete the following exercises to reinforce your understanding.

Exercise 1: Adjectival Use

Rewrite the following sentences using the appropriate form of the participle in parentheses. Pay attention to the agreement with the noun in case, number, and gender.

1. The broken vase is on the floor. (rikki)
2. The lost keys were found. (kadonnut)
3. The running child is in the park. (juokseva)

Exercise 2: Verbal Use

Rewrite the following sentences using the appropriate form of the participle in parentheses. Ensure that the participle agrees with the subject in person and number.

1. The cat is sleeping. (nukkua)
2. The students are studying. (opiskella)
3. The workers are building a house. (rakentaa)

Exercise 3: Nominal Use

Rewrite the following sentences using the appropriate form of the participle in parentheses. Pay attention to the agreement with the noun in case, number, and gender.

1. The listener is enjoying the music. (kuunnella)
2. The dancer is performing on stage. (tanssia)
3. The teacher is explaining the lesson. (selittää)

Solutions

Exercise 1: Adjectival Use

1. The broken vase is on the floor. (rikki)

Rikkinen maljakko on lattialla.

1. The lost keys were found. (kadonnut)

Kadonneet avaimet löydettiin.

1. The running child is in the park. (juokseva)

Juokseva lapsi on puistossa.

Exercise 2: Verbal Use

1. The cat is sleeping. (nukkua)

Kissa nukkuu.

1. The students are studying. (opiskella)

Opiskelijat opiskelevat.

1. The workers are building a house. (rakentaa)

Työntekijät rakentavat taloa.

Exercise 3: Nominal Use

1. The listener is enjoying the music. (kuunnella)

Kuulija nauttii musiikista.

1. The dancer is performing on stage. (tanssia)

Tanssija esiintyy lavalla.

1. The teacher is explaining the lesson. (selittää)

Opettaja selittää oppitunnin.

Congratulations on completing the exercises! By successfully applying the concepts of Finnish participles, you have taken a significant step towards mastering this aspect of the Finnish language.

Conclusion

In this lesson, we have explored Finnish participles, their formation, and their usage in various sentence structures. We have provided comprehensive explanations and numerous examples to help you understand and apply the concepts effectively. Additionally, we have delved into the cultural aspects of participles, highlighting their significance in Finnish language and culture.

By mastering the use of participles, you can express yourself more effectively and add depth to your Finnish language skills. Participles allow you to convey additional information about actions and states, making your sentences more descriptive and nuanced. With continued practice and exposure to the Finnish language, you will become more proficient in the use of participles and further enhance your language abilities.

We hope you enjoyed this lesson and found it informative and engaging. Keep practicing and exploring the world of Finnish participles, and you will soon see the progress in your language skills. Onnea matkaan! (Good luck on your journey!)

Table of Contents - Finnish Course - 0 to A1

• Course Presentation

  ---

Introduction to Finnish

• Alphabet and Pronunciation
• Basic Sentence Structure

  ---

Greetings and Introductions

• Basic Greetings
• Introducing Yourself

  ---

Nouns and Adjectives

• Noun Cases
• Adjective Agreement

  ---

Numbers and Time

• Numbers 1-20
• Telling Time

  ---

Verbs and Tenses

• Present Tense
• Past Tense

  ---

Daily Activities

• Daily Routine
• Hobbies and Leisure

  ---

Questions and Negation

• Forming Questions
• Negation

  ---

Food and Dining

• Food Vocabulary
• Dining Out

  ---

Prepositions and Postpositions

• Prepositions
• Postpositions

  ---

Travel and Transportation

• Modes of Transportation
• Travel Phrases

  ---

Finnish Culture and Traditions

• Holidays and Celebrations
• Finnish Sauna

  ---

Weather and Seasons

• Weather Vocabulary
• Seasons

  ---

Conjunctions and Subordinate Clauses

• Conjunctions
• Subordinate Clauses

  ---

Family and Relationships

• Family Members
• Relationships

  ---

Finnish Literature and Music

• Finnish Literature
• Finnish Music

Sources

• The 5 Finnish Participles - Overview - Uusi kielemme
• Partisiipit / The Participles - The Finnish Teacher
• Want to learn advanced Finnish grammar? Learn the participle
• Finnish verb conjugation - Wikipedia

Other Lessons

• Adjectives
• Asking Directions in Finnish
• Finnish Verb Tenses
• Conditional Mood
• Negation
• Basic Finnish Phonetics
• The Finnish Alphabet
• Conditional Tense
• How to Use Have
• Present Tense