When learning Finnish, you’ll come across a fascinating aspect of the language: the use of postpositions instead of prepositions. This is especially evident in the way Finnish expresses time, known as temporal postpositions. Understanding these will significantly enhance your comprehension and fluency in Finnish, as they are integral to everyday conversation and written communication.
Introduction to Temporal Postpositions
In English, we use prepositions like “in,” “on,” and “at” to indicate time. Finnish, however, uses postpositions, which come after the noun or pronoun they modify. These postpositions can be quite different from what English speakers are accustomed to, but with practice, they become intuitive.
Temporal postpositions in Finnish are used to indicate when something happens. They answer questions like “When?” and “How long?”. Some of the most common temporal postpositions include jälkeen (after), ennen (before), kuluttua (in), and asti (until). Let’s delve into each of these and explore their usage through examples.
Jälkeen (After)
The postposition jälkeen is used to indicate that an event happens after a certain point in time. It is equivalent to the English “after.”
**Examples:**
– “Koulun jälkeen menen kotiin.” (After school, I go home.)
– “Lounaan jälkeen meillä on kokous.” (After lunch, we have a meeting.)
In these sentences, jälkeen follows the noun it modifies (koulun, lounaan), making it clear that the event occurs after the specified time.
Ennen (Before)
The postposition ennen means “before” in English and is used to indicate that something happens prior to a particular time.
**Examples:**
– “Ennen aamiaista käyn lenkillä.” (Before breakfast, I go for a run.)
– “Tapaaminen on ennen lounasta.” (The meeting is before lunch.)
Here, ennen precedes the noun it modifies (aamiaista, lounasta), signifying that the action takes place before the specified time.
Kuluttua (In)
The postposition kuluttua is used to indicate a duration of time after which something will happen. It is similar to the English “in” when talking about time.
**Examples:**
– “Tulen takaisin kahden tunnin kuluttua.” (I will come back in two hours.)
– “Loma alkaa viikon kuluttua.” (The vacation starts in a week.)
With kuluttua, the noun (kahden tunnin, viikon) specifies the duration after which the event will occur.
Asti (Until)
The postposition asti means “until” and is used to indicate that an action or state continues up to a certain point in time.
**Examples:**
– “Olen töissä viiteen asti.” (I am at work until five.)
– “Jatkamme juhlia aamuun asti.” (We will continue the party until morning.)
In these sentences, asti follows the time expression (viiteen, aamuun) to show that the action continues up to that point.
Combining Temporal Postpositions
Sometimes, you may need to combine temporal postpositions to convey more complex time-related information. In Finnish, it’s common to use multiple postpositions together for clarity and precision.
**Example:**
– “Lähden töistä kuuden jälkeen ja olen kotona seitsemän maissa.” (I leave work after six and am home around seven.)
In this sentence, both jälkeen and maissa (around) are used to give a clear picture of when events happen.
Practical Usage and Context
Understanding the context in which these postpositions are used is key to mastering their usage. Let’s look at some practical scenarios where temporal postpositions are frequently used.
1. **Daily Routines:**
– “Herään seitsemän aikaan ja syön aamiaista kahdeksan maissa.” (I wake up around seven and have breakfast around eight.)
– “Menemme kävelylle illallisen jälkeen.” (We go for a walk after dinner.)
2. **Scheduling:**
– “Kokous alkaa yhdeksältä ja kestää kolmeen asti.” (The meeting starts at nine and lasts until three.)
– “Voimme tavata lounaan jälkeen.” (We can meet after lunch.)
3. **Future Plans:**
– “Matkaamme Italiaan kahden viikon kuluttua.” (We are traveling to Italy in two weeks.)
– “Kurssi päättyy joulukuussa, ja sen jälkeen aloitan uuden projektin.” (The course ends in December, and after that, I will start a new project.)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learning a new language often comes with making mistakes, and that’s perfectly normal. Here are some common mistakes learners make with temporal postpositions and tips on how to avoid them:
1. **Incorrect Order:**
– Incorrect: “Ennen menen töihin aamiaista.” (Before I go to work, breakfast.)
– Correct: “Ennen aamiaista menen töihin.” (Before breakfast, I go to work.)
Ensure that the postposition follows the noun it modifies.
2. **Using Prepositions Instead:**
– Incorrect: “Tulen takaisin in kaksi tuntia.” (I will come back in two hours.)
– Correct: “Tulen takaisin kahden tunnin kuluttua.” (I will come back in two hours.)
Remember that Finnish uses postpositions, not prepositions, to indicate time.
3. **Confusing Similar Postpositions:**
– Incorrect: “Olen töissä viiden kuluttua.” (I am at work in five.)
– Correct: “Olen töissä viiteen asti.” (I am at work until five.)
Pay attention to the specific meanings of each postposition to use them correctly.
Exercises to Practice Temporal Postpositions
To solidify your understanding of temporal postpositions, here are some exercises you can practice:
1. Translate the following sentences into Finnish:
– I will call you after the meeting.
– Before dinner, I will go for a run.
– The train arrives in two hours.
– We will stay at the party until midnight.
2. Fill in the blanks with the correct postpositions:
– Menen nukkumaan kymmenen ________. (I go to bed at ten.)
– Herään seitsemältä ja syön aamiaista yhdeksän ________. (I wake up at seven and have breakfast at nine.)
– Lähden töihin kahden tunnin ________. (I leave for work in two hours.)
– Jatkamme juhlia aamuun ________. (We continue the party until morning.)
3. Write a short paragraph describing your daily routine using at least three different temporal postpositions.
Conclusion
Mastering temporal postpositions in Finnish is an essential step in achieving fluency. They provide a clear framework for expressing time-related information and are used in everyday communication. By practicing and incorporating these postpositions into your language use, you will become more comfortable and proficient in Finnish.
Remember, language learning is a journey, and making mistakes is part of the process. Don’t be discouraged if you find temporal postpositions challenging at first. With practice and exposure, you will become more confident in using them correctly. Keep practicing, and you’ll see significant improvement in your Finnish language skills.
