Language/Finnish/Grammar/Finnish-Verb-Tenses
As you progress toward fluency in Finnish, you'll need to learn the other verb tenses, such as conditional and imperative. This lesson will focus on those key concepts.
Finnish Conditional
Finnish conditional is used to indicate a hypothetical situation or action. It is indicated by adding -isi- to the stem of the verb.
For example:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Minä puhu- | /'puhu/ | I speak |
| Minä puhuisin | /'puhuisin/ | I would speak |
In this example, the verb "puhua" in its infinitive form is "puhu". To add the Finnish conditional, "isi" must be added after the "u" in "puhu" - giving you "puhuisi". Finally, add the required personal endings (see previous lessons) to match the subject.
Finnish Imperative
The Finnish imperative mood is used to give direct commands or orders. It is unique in that it only applies to the second person singular and plural, as well as the first person plural. Unlike conditional, it is not conjugated based on person, but rather on formality.
For instance:
| Finnish | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| Tule! | /'tule/ | Come! (singular informal) |
| Tulkoon! | /'tulkoon/ | Let him/her come! (singular formal) |
In the command, the basic form of the verb is used, which is the same as the third person singular.
Conclusion
Mastering Finnish verb tenses, such as the conditional and the imperative, is key in becoming more fluent in the language. Now that you have learned about these concepts, you can incorporate them into your everyday Finnish conversation.
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