When learning Finnish, one of the most fascinating aspects to tackle is the use of the word “että” in complex sentences. “Että” is a Finnish conjunction that translates to “that” in English and is a powerful tool for connecting clauses, expressing indirect speech, and conveying complex ideas. This article will delve into the various ways “että” can be used, providing practical examples and explanations to help you master its use in Finnish.
Understanding the Basic Function of “että”
In Finnish, “että” is primarily used to introduce a subordinate clause, similar to how “that” is used in English. The subordinate clause typically provides additional information about the main clause, often expressing what someone thinks, says, or perceives.
For example:
– Minä tiedän, että hän tulee huomenna. (I know that he is coming tomorrow.)
– Hän sanoi, että sää on kaunis. (He said that the weather is beautiful.)
In these sentences, “että” links the main clause (Minä tiedän, Hän sanoi) with the subordinate clause (hän tulee huomenna, sää on kaunis), providing a fuller picture of the situation.
Expressing Indirect Speech
One of the most common uses of “että” is in expressing indirect speech. When reporting what someone has said, thought, or felt, “että” introduces the content of the speech or thought.
For example:
– Hän kertoi minulle, että hän oli käynyt kaupassa. (She told me that she had been to the store.)
– Opettaja huomautti, että oppilaat olivat tehneet hyvää työtä. (The teacher noted that the students had done good work.)
In indirect speech, the subordinate clause introduced by “että” often undergoes changes in tense and perspective to match the reporting verb and the context of the conversation.
Tense Changes in Indirect Speech
When converting direct speech to indirect speech, the tense of the verb in the subordinate clause may need to be adjusted.
For example:
Direct speech: “Minä olen väsynyt,” hän sanoi. ( “I am tired,” he said.)
Indirect speech: Hän sanoi, että hän oli väsynyt. (He said that he was tired.)
In this instance, the present tense “olen” (am) changes to the past tense “oli” (was) to align with the past tense reporting verb “sanoi” (said).
Using “että” with Different Verb Moods
Finnish features a variety of verb moods, and “että” can be used with most of them to form complex sentences. The indicative, conditional, and imperative moods are particularly noteworthy.
Indicative Mood
The indicative mood is used to state facts and is the most commonly used verb mood with “että”.
For example:
– Hän tietää, että me tulemme. (She knows that we are coming.)
– Uskon, että se on totta. (I believe that it is true.)
Conditional Mood
The conditional mood expresses hypothetical situations, wishes, or polite requests. “Että” can introduce subordinate clauses that involve these conditions.
For example:
– Toivoisin, että voisit tulla. (I wish that you could come.)
– Hän sanoi, että hän tekisi sen, jos hänellä olisi aikaa. (He said that he would do it if he had time.)
Imperative Mood
The imperative mood is used for giving commands or requests. While less common, “että” can appear in complex sentences involving reported commands.
For example:
– Hän pyysi, että me lähtisimme. (He asked that we leave.)
– Äiti käski, että lapset siivoaisivat huoneensa. (Mother ordered that the children clean their room.)
Combining “että” with Other Conjunctions
“Että” can be combined with other conjunctions to add layers of meaning and complexity to sentences. These combinations often involve conjunctions like “koska” (because), “kun” (when), “jotta” (so that), and “vaikka” (although).
Examples of Combined Conjunctions
Consider the following sentences:
– Hän oli iloinen, että koska hän sai uuden työpaikan. (He was happy because he got a new job.)
– Minä tiesin, että kun hän näkee minut, hän hymyilee. (I knew that when he sees me, he will smile.)
– Hän teki sen, että jotta kaikki olisivat onnellisia. (He did it so that everyone would be happy.)
– Hän tuli, että vaikka hän oli väsynyt. (He came although he was tired.)
These sentences demonstrate how “että” works in conjunction with other words to create complex and nuanced meanings.
Special Cases and Variations
Certain special cases and variations in the use of “että” can add to the richness of Finnish sentence structure. These include its use in negative sentences, questions, and with particles.
Negative Sentences
In negative sentences, “että” still functions as a conjunction, but the negation affects the subordinate clause.
For example:
– Hän ei usko, että se on mahdollista. (He doesn’t believe that it is possible.)
– En tiennyt, että hän ei tule. (I didn’t know that he wasn’t coming.)
Questions
When forming questions, “että” can introduce a subordinate clause that is the object of the main question.
For example:
– Tiedätkö, että hän on täällä? (Do you know that he is here?)
– Voisitko kertoa minulle, että miksi olet vihainen? (Could you tell me why you are angry?)
Use with Particles
Particles such as “kai” (probably) and “varmaan” (surely) can be used with “että” to add shades of meaning to the subordinate clause.
For example:
– Hän luulee, että kai se on totta. (He thinks that probably it is true.)
– Sanoin, että varmaan tulen myöhemmin. (I said that surely I will come later.)
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Learning to use “että” correctly can be challenging, and there are common mistakes that learners often make. Here are a few pitfalls and tips on how to avoid them:
Overusing “että”
One common mistake is overusing “että” where it is not needed. In some cases, English learners might be tempted to insert “että” in places where Finnish would not require a conjunction.
Incorrect: Hän sanoi että me mennään.
Correct: Hän sanoi, että me menemme. (He said that we are going.)
Incorrect Tense Usage
Another mistake is not adjusting the tense in the subordinate clause to match the context of the main clause.
Incorrect: Hän sanoi, että hän on väsynyt, vaikka hän sanoi sen eilen.
Correct: Hän sanoi, että hän oli väsynyt, vaikka hän sanoi sen eilen. (He said that he was tired, although he said it yesterday.)
Neglecting Agreement in Person and Number
Ensuring that the verb in the subordinate clause agrees in person and number with its subject is crucial.
Incorrect: Minä tiedän, että sinä tulee.
Correct: Minä tiedän, että sinä tulet. (I know that you are coming.)
Practice Makes Perfect
To master the use of “että” in complex sentences, consistent practice is key. Here are a few exercises to help you apply what you’ve learned:
Exercise 1: Convert Direct to Indirect Speech
Convert the following direct speech sentences into indirect speech using “että”:
1. “Minä pidän tästä kirjasta,” hän sanoi.
2. “Me olemme valmiita,” he ilmoittivat.
3. “Haluamme lähteä nyt,” he sanoivat.
Answers:
1. Hän sanoi, että hän piti siitä kirjasta.
2. He ilmoittivat, että he olivat valmiita.
3. He sanoivat, että he halusivat lähteä nyt.
Exercise 2: Create Complex Sentences
Create complex sentences by combining the following pairs of simple sentences using “että”:
1. Hän opiskelee suomea. Hän haluaa työskennellä Suomessa.
2. Sinä tulet myöhässä. En pidä siitä.
3. Me matkustamme Italiaan. Se on meidän suosikkikohteemme.
Answers:
1. Hän opiskelee suomea, että hän haluaa työskennellä Suomessa.
2. En pidä siitä, että sinä tulet myöhässä.
3. Me matkustamme Italiaan, että se on meidän suosikkikohteemme.
Conclusion
Understanding and using “että” in complex sentences is a crucial step in mastering Finnish. This conjunction allows you to create nuanced and detailed sentences, express indirect speech, and connect ideas seamlessly. By practicing the various uses of “että” and being mindful of common mistakes, you will enhance your proficiency in Finnish and be able to communicate more effectively. Keep practicing, and soon enough, the use of “että” will become second nature.
