Language/Finnish/Grammar/Subordinate-Clauses

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Finnish → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Conjunctions and Subordinate Clauses → Subordinate Clauses

Introduction[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we will explore the topic of subordinate clauses in Finnish. Subordinate clauses are an essential part of the Finnish language and understanding how to form and use them will greatly enhance your ability to express complex ideas and thoughts. As we delve into this topic, we will learn about different types of subordinate clauses, their structure, and their usage in sentences. We will also explore some interesting cultural facts related to subordinate clauses in Finnish.

Conjunctions[edit | edit source]

Before we dive into the details of subordinate clauses, let's start by discussing conjunctions. Conjunctions are words that connect words, phrases, or clauses together. They play a crucial role in forming subordinate clauses, as they introduce the dependent clause in relation to the main clause. In Finnish, conjunctions are used to join two clauses and indicate the relationship between them.

Some common Finnish conjunctions include "että" (that), "koska" (because), "vaikka" (although), and "kun" (when). These conjunctions are used to introduce subordinate clauses and establish a cause and effect, contrast, condition, or time relationship between the clauses.

Let's take a look at some examples:

Finnish	Pronunciation	English
Hän sanoo, että hän rakastaa sinua.	Hän sanoo, että hän rakastaa sinua.	He says that he loves you.
Menen ulos, koska on aurinkoinen päivä.	Menen ulos, koska on aurinkoinen päivä.	I'm going out because it's a sunny day.
Vaikka satoi, menin ulos.	Vaikka satoi, menin ulos.	Although it was raining, I went out.
Soitan sinulle, kun saavun kotiin.	Soitan sinulle, kun saavun kotiin.	I will call you when I arrive home.

As you can see from the examples, the subordinate clauses introduced by the conjunctions "että," "koska," "vaikka," and "kun" provide additional information and context to the main clauses.

Subordinate Clauses[edit | edit source]

Now that we have an understanding of conjunctions, let's move on to subordinate clauses. Subordinate clauses, also known as dependent clauses, are clauses that cannot stand alone as complete sentences. They rely on the main clause to convey a complete thought or idea.

In Finnish, subordinate clauses can be categorized into different types based on their function and structure. We will explore three main types of subordinate clauses: noun clauses, adverbial clauses, and relative clauses.

Noun Clauses[edit | edit source]

Noun clauses in Finnish function as nouns within a sentence. They can act as subjects, objects, or complements. These clauses are introduced by question words, such as "mitä" (what), "kuka" (who), "miksi" (why), or by the conjunction "että" (that).

Let's look at some examples:

Noun clause as a subject:

"Mikä sinua vaivaa?" (What is bothering you?)

Noun clause as an object:

"En tiedä, mitä hän sanoi." (I don't know what he said.)

Noun clause as a complement:

"Tavoitteenani on, että opin suomea." (My goal is that I learn Finnish.)

Adverbial Clauses[edit | edit source]

Adverbial clauses in Finnish function as adverbs within a sentence. They provide information about time, place, manner, condition, or reason. Adverbial clauses are introduced by conjunctions such as "kun" (when), "missä" (where), "miten" (how), "jos" (if), or "koska" (because).

Let's see some examples:

Adverbial clause of time:

"Menen nukkumaan, kun aurinko laskee." (I go to sleep when the sun sets.)

Adverbial clause of place:

"Pysähdyn, missä haluan." (I stop where I want.)

Adverbial clause of manner:

"Tanssin niin kuin kukaan ei katsoisi." (I dance as if no one is watching.)

Relative Clauses[edit | edit source]

Relative clauses in Finnish provide additional information about a noun or pronoun within a sentence. They are introduced by the relative pronouns "joka" (who/which) or "mikä" (which/that).

Let's take a look at some examples:

Relative clause with "joka":

"Tyttö, joka laulaa hyvin, voitti kilpailun." (The girl who sings well won the competition.)

Relative clause with "mikä":

"Kirja, mikä on pöydällä, on mielenkiintoinen." (The book which is on the table is interesting.)

Cultural Insights[edit | edit source]

In Finnish culture, the use of subordinate clauses is common and appreciated. Finns value precision and clarity in communication, and subordinate clauses help to convey complex ideas and thoughts effectively. The ability to use subordinate clauses correctly is considered a mark of linguistic proficiency in Finnish.

Historically, Finnish has been influenced by neighboring languages such as Swedish and Russian, which also use subordinate clauses extensively. This influence has contributed to the rich and nuanced use of subordinate clauses in Finnish.

Interesting fact: Finnish is known for its extensive noun case system, which also applies to subordinate clauses. The case of the noun in the main clause determines the case of the noun in the subordinate clause. This feature adds an additional layer of complexity to the formation of subordinate clauses in Finnish.

Exercises[edit | edit source]

Now it's time to practice what you've learned about subordinate clauses in Finnish. Complete the following exercises and check your answers below.

Exercise 1: Identify the type of subordinate clause Identify the type of subordinate clause in each sentence: noun clause, adverbial clause, or relative clause.

1. En tiedä, mitä sinä ajattelet. 2. Menen nukkumaan, kun kello on yhdeksän. 3. Poika, joka soittaa pianoa, on lahjakas. 4. Kerro minulle, miksi sinä itkit. 5. Ostan sen, jos sinä haluat.

Exercise 2: Complete the sentence with a subordinate clause Complete each sentence with an appropriate subordinate clause.

1. Minä menen nukkumaan, ____________. 2. Hän tulee kotiin, ____________. 3. Se on kirja, ____________. 4. En ymmärrä, ____________. 5. Hän kertoi minulle, ____________.

Solutions[edit | edit source]

Exercise 1: Identify the type of subordinate clause

1. Noun clause 2. Adverbial clause 3. Relative clause 4. Noun clause 5. Adverbial clause

Exercise 2: Complete the sentence with a subordinate clause

1. kun aurinko nousee. 2. kun hän saa työnsä valmiiksi. 3. mikä on kirjoitettu suomeksi. 4. miksi hän ei tullut tapaamiseen. 5. kun hän palaa matkalta.

Summary[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we explored subordinate clauses in Finnish. We learned about conjunctions and their role in introducing subordinate clauses. We also discussed different types of subordinate clauses, including noun clauses, adverbial clauses, and relative clauses. By understanding how to form and use subordinate clauses, you can enhance your ability to express complex ideas and thoughts in Finnish. Keep practicing and incorporating these structures into your language use, and you will soon become proficient in using subordinate clauses in Finnish.

Table of Contents - Finnish Course - 0 to A1[edit source]

Course Presentation

Introduction to Finnish

Greetings and Introductions

Nouns and Adjectives

Numbers and Time

Verbs and Tenses

Daily Activities

Questions and Negation

Food and Dining

Prepositions and Postpositions

Travel and Transportation

Finnish Culture and Traditions

Weather and Seasons

Conjunctions and Subordinate Clauses

Conjunctions
Subordinate Clauses

Family and Relationships

Finnish Literature and Music

Sources[edit | edit source]

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