Language/Finnish/Grammar/Finnish-Sentence-Structure

Finnish → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Finnish Sentence Structure

Welcome to our lesson on Finnish Sentence Structure! This is an exciting part of your journey into the Finnish language, as understanding sentence structure will allow you to express yourself more clearly and effectively. In Finnish, the structure can feel a bit different from what English speakers are used to, but don't worry—by the end of this lesson, you'll have a solid grasp of how to form sentences and manipulate word order.

In Finnish, word order can be quite flexible. While there are common patterns, the meaning of a sentence can change based on how you arrange the words. This is one of the beautiful complexities of the Finnish language! Today, we will explore the main forms of sentence structure, how to create more complex sentences, and the role of different elements in a sentence.

Lesson Outline

1. Introduction to Sentence Structure

2. Basic Sentence Order

3. Complex Sentences

4. Word Order Variations

5. Exercises and Practice Scenarios

6. Solutions and Explanations

Introduction to Sentence Structure

Understanding how to construct sentences in Finnish is crucial for effective communication. Unlike English, where the Subject-Verb-Object (SVO) order is rigid, Finnish allows for a variety of arrangements. This flexibility can help emphasize different parts of a sentence, making your speech more dynamic.

The basic components of a Finnish sentence include:

• Subject: The person or thing performing the action.

• Verb: The action or state of being.

• Object: The person or thing receiving the action.

In this lesson, we will start with the basic structure and gradually build towards more complex sentences.

Basic Sentence Order

In Finnish, the most common sentence structure is Subject-Verb-Object (SVO), similar to English. However, Finnish also accommodates different orders based on what you want to emphasize.

Here are some examples of simple sentences:

Finnish	Pronunciation	English
Minä syön omenan.	[ˈminæ syøn ˈomenɑn]	I am eating an apple.
Hän juoksee.	[hæn ˈjuo̯kse]	He/She is running.
Me näemme elokuvan.	[me ˈnæ̯emːe ˈelokuʋɑn]	We see a movie.
Sinä luet kirjaa.	[ˈsinæ ˈluet ˈkiɾjɑː]	You are reading a book.

As you can see, the subject typically comes first, followed by the verb and then the object. However, Finnish allows for variations in the order, which we will explore later.

Complex Sentences

Now that we have a foundation, let's build on it! Complex sentences in Finnish can involve conjunctions (words that connect clauses) and subordinate clauses (a clause that cannot stand alone).

Conjunctions are essential for creating complex sentences. Here are some common conjunctions in Finnish:

• ja (and)

• mutta (but)

• tai (or)

• koska (because)

• että (that)

Here are some examples of complex sentences:

Finnish	Pronunciation	English
Minä syön omenan, koska olen nälkäinen.	[ˈminæ syøn ˈomenɑn ˈkoskɑ ˈolen ˈnæl̪kæi̯nen]	I am eating an apple because I am hungry.
Hän juoksee, mutta hän on väsynyt.	[hæn ˈjuo̯kse ˈmutːɑ hɛn ˈon ˈvæsyˌnyt]	He/She is running, but he/she is tired.
Me näemme elokuvan tai sarjan.	[me ˈnæ̯emːe ˈelokuʋɑn tai ˈsɑrjɑn]	We see a movie or a series.
Tiedän, että sinä olet hyvä.	[ˈtiːɛdæn ˈetːæ ˈsinæ ˈolet ˈhyvæ]	I know that you are good.

In these examples, you can see how conjunctions help link ideas and create more detailed sentences.

Word Order Variations

While SVO is the most common structure, Finnish allows for flexibility. The word order can change to emphasize different parts of the sentence.

Here are some variations with examples:

1. Object-Subject-Verb (OSV): Emphasizing the object.

• Omennan minä syön. (The apple, I am eating.)

2. Verb-Subject-Object (VSO): Emphasizing the verb.

• Syön minä omenan. (Eating, I am the apple.)

3. Subject-Object-Verb (SOV): Another way to emphasize the object.

• Minä omenan syön. (I the apple am eating.)

These variations can sometimes feel unnatural for English speakers but are perfectly acceptable in Finnish.

Finnish	Pronunciation	English
Omennan minä syön.	[ˈomenɑn ˈminæ syøn]	The apple, I am eating.
Syön minä omenan.	[ˈsyøn ˈminæ ˈomenɑn]	Eating, I am the apple.
Minä omenan syön.	[ˈminæ ˈomenɑn ˈsyøn]	I the apple am eating.

As you practice, try to play with these structures to see how changing the order affects the emphasis and flow of your sentences.

Exercises and Practice Scenarios

Now that we've laid the groundwork, it’s time to practice! Below are some exercises to help you cement your understanding of Finnish sentence structure.

1. Identify the Subject, Verb, and Object: Read the following sentences and identify the subject, verb, and object.

• Minä kirjoitan kirjeen.

• He tekevät ruokaa.

• Me pelaamme jalkapalloa.

2. Rearrange the Sentence: Take the following sentences and rearrange them into a different valid structure (e.g., OSV, VSO).

• Sinä luet kirjaa.

• Hän katsoo televisiota.

• Me syömme pizzaa.

3. Create Complex Sentences: Use the conjunctions provided to create complex sentences.

• Conjunctions: ja, mutta, koska

• Example: minä menen ulos, ___ on kylmä.

4. Translate into Finnish: Translate the following English sentences into Finnish.

• I am reading a book.

• They are eating pizza.

• She is running fast.

5. Word Order Practice: Create sentences using the following elements in different orders.

• Subject: minä

• Object: omena

• Verb: syön

6. Fill in the Blanks: Complete the sentences with the correct forms of the words.

• _____ (hän) katsoo _____ (televisio).

• _____ (me) syömme _____ (ruoka).

7. Combine Sentences: Combine the two sentences using a conjunction.

• Minä olen väsynyt.

• Minä haluan nukkua.

8. Change the Verb: Change the verb in the following sentence to make it fit the meaning:

• Hän ____ (juosta) nopeasti.

9. Use of Subordinate Clauses: Create sentences using subordinate clauses.

• Example: Minä tiedän, että hän tulee.

10. Practice Speaking: Choose any five sentences from above and practice speaking them aloud. Focus on pronunciation and natural flow.

Solutions and Explanations

Here are the solutions for the exercises provided above:

1. Identify the Subject, Verb, and Object:

• Minä (Subject) kirjoitan (Verb) kirjeen (Object).

• He (Subject) tekevät (Verb) ruokaa (Object).

• Me (Subject) pelaamme (Verb) jalkapalloa (Object).

2. Rearrange the Sentence:

• Kirjaa sinä luet.

• Televisiota hän katsoo.

• Pizzaa me syömme.

3. Create Complex Sentences:

• Minä menen ulos, mutta on kylmä.

• Hän ei tule, koska on sairas.

• Me pelaamme jalkapalloa ja syömme pizzaa.

4. Translate into Finnish:

• Minä luen kirjaa.

• He syövät pizzaa.

• Hän juoksee nopeasti.

5. Word Order Practice:

• Minä syön omenan.

• Omenan syön minä.

• Syön minä omenan.

6. Fill in the Blanks:

• Hän katsoo televisiota.

• Me syömme ruokaa.

7. Combine Sentences:

• Minä olen väsynyt, mutta haluan nukkua.

8. Change the Verb:

• Hän juoksee nopeasti.

9. Use of Subordinate Clauses:

• Minä tiedän, että hän tulee.

10. Practice Speaking: (Encourage students to choose any five sentences they like).

By completing these exercises, you will deepen your understanding of Finnish sentence structure and feel more confident in your ability to communicate. Remember, practice makes perfect, so don't hesitate to revisit these concepts as you continue your studies!

As you progress, you'll find that the beauty of Finnish lies not only in its unique sounds but also in its rich structure. Embrace the journey, and happy learning!

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

• Finnish grammar - Wikipedia
• Finnish Sentence Types - ielanguages.com
• A Beginner's Guide to Basic Finnish Grammar
• Finnish Grammar Beginner's Guide (even if you hate grammar)

Other Lessons

• Negation
• How to Use Have
• Nouns
• Questions
• Future Tense
• How to Use Be
• Imperative Mood
• Finnish Adjectives and Pronouns
• Prepositions
• Past Participle in Finnish