10. Clause types
There are different types of clauses in the Finnish language. The clause type affects both the position of the words in a clause and their endings.
Simple clause
| Kuka? Who? | Mitä tekee? What do they do? | Mitä? What? | Missä? Miten? Milloin? Where? How? When? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minä I | syön eat | omenan. an apple | – |
| Lapset The children | opiskelevat study | englantia English | koulussa maanantaisin. at school on Mondays. |
| Mies A man | juoksee runs | – | pihalla. outside. |
| Koira A dog | haukkuu. barks. | – | – |
Verb + verb clause
The main verb in a clause is normally conjugated in agreement with person, meaning that it has a personal ending (tykkään, menen), but a second verb can also be added to the clause. This verb is either in the basic infinitive form (lukea) or has an infinitive ending -MA or a noun ending -MINEN:
Minä tykkään lukea kirjoja.
I like to read books.
Nyt olen lukemassa Tuntematonta sotilasta.
Now I’m reading “The Unknown Soldier”.
Menen usein kirjastoon lukemaan kirjoja.
I often go to the library to read books.
Rakastan lukemista!
I love reading!
Necessive clause
This clause type expresses the necessity of doing something, and the subject is in the N-form:
Minun täytyy mennä kotiin.
I have to go home.
Lasten pitää käydä koulua.
Children must go to school.
Kaikkien on pakko maksaa veroja.
Everybody has to pay taxes.
Tekstin on oltava valmis huomenna.
The text has to be ready tomorrow.
Possessive clause
In a possessive clause, the possessor is marked with the ending –lla:
Minulla on uusi auto.
I have a new car.
Hänellä on kaksi lasta.
He/she has two children.
Existential clause
The existential clause begins with a locative expression. It tells that there is something somewhere:
Pöydällä on kirja.
There is a book on the table.
Turussa on vanhoja rakennuksia.
There are old buildings in Turku.
Kauppakeskukseen tulee uusi kenkäkauppa.
There will be a new shoe shop in the shopping centre.
Paidasta lähti nappi.
A button came off the shirt.
Change + result clause
This clause type expresses permanent or temporary change. It often uses the verb tulla:
Mikosta tulee lakimies.
Mikko is going to be lawyer.
Talosta tuli hieno.
The house turned out fine.
Mikko tuli iloiseksi.
Mikko became happy.
Hanna tuli sairaaksi.
Hanna became ill.
Question
A clause can be turned into a question by adding a question word to the beginning of the phrase or the ending ko/kö to the end of the verb:
Mitä sinä syöt?
What do you eat?
Mihin sinun täytyy mennä?
Where do you have to go?
Oletko suomalainen?
Are you Finnish?
Pitääkö meidän mennä kouluun?
Do we have to go to school?