A2 Finnish GrammarTemporal Prepositions
Learn Finnish time expressions using postpositions and case endings. Finnish expresses 'since', 'for', 'until', and 'during' differently than English, often using case endings on nouns rather than separate prepositions. Master these essential time markers for fluent Finnish.
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1Duration with Ajan and Case Endings
Finnish expresses duration ('for how long') in several ways. The accusative case alone can show duration. Adding 'ajan' (time period) after a genitive noun emphasizes the entire duration. For completed durations, use the nominative or accusative without a postposition.
Duration Expressions
| Finnish | Structure | English |
|---|---|---|
| kaksi tuntia | number + partitive | for two hours |
| koko päivän | koko + genitive | all day (long) |
| viikon ajan | genitive + ajan | for a week (emphasized) |
| tunnin | genitive (duration) | for an hour |
Examples
Odotin kaksi tuntia.
I waited for two hours.
kaksi tuntia = duration with partitive
Työskentelin koko päivän.
I worked all day.
koko päivän = entire duration
Asuin Suomessa vuoden ajan.
I lived in Finland for a year.
vuoden ajan = emphasized duration
Nukuin kahdeksan tuntia.
I slept for eight hours.
kahdeksan tuntia = simple duration
2Since and From (lähtien, alkaen)
Finnish uses 'lähtien' (starting from) and 'alkaen' (beginning from) as postpositions with elative case to express 'since' or 'from'. These postpositions come after the time expression. For 'since' with ongoing situations, use elative + lähtien.
Since/From Expressions
| Finnish | Case + Postposition | English |
|---|---|---|
| maanantaista lähtien | elative + lähtien | since Monday |
| aamusta alkaen | elative + alkaen | from the morning |
| vuodesta 2020 lähtien | elative + lähtien | since 2020 |
| siitä lähtien | elative + lähtien | since then |
Examples
Olen asunut täällä vuodesta 2020 lähtien.
I have lived here since 2020.
vuodesta lähtien = since (year)
Aamusta alkaen satoi vettä.
It rained from the morning.
aamusta alkaen = from morning
Lapsesta lähtien olen pitänyt musiikista.
Since childhood I have liked music.
lapsesta lähtien = since childhood
Maanantaista lähtien olen ollut sairas.
I have been sick since Monday.
maanantaista lähtien = since Monday
3Until (asti, saakka, mennessä)
Finnish has several ways to express 'until'. Use illative + 'asti' or 'saakka' for 'until (a point in time)'. Use illative + 'mennessä' for 'by (deadline)'. These postpositions follow the time noun in illative case.
Until Expressions
| Finnish | Case + Postposition | English |
|---|---|---|
| perjantaihin asti | illative + asti | until Friday |
| iltaan saakka | illative + saakka | until evening |
| maanantaihin mennessä | illative + mennessä | by Monday |
| loppuun asti | illative + asti | until the end |
Examples
Työskentelen iltaan asti.
I work until the evening.
iltaan asti = until evening
Odota perjantaihin saakka.
Wait until Friday.
perjantaihin saakka = until Friday
Lähetä raportti maanantaihin mennessä.
Send the report by Monday.
mennessä = by (deadline)
Luen loppuun asti.
I read until the end.
loppuun asti = until the end
4During and Within (aikana, kuluessa)
To express 'during' or 'in the course of', Finnish uses 'aikana' (during) or 'kuluessa' (within, in the course of) after genitive case. These postpositions indicate that something happens within a time period, not at a specific point.
During/Within Expressions
| Finnish | Case + Postposition | English |
|---|---|---|
| päivän aikana | genitive + aikana | during the day |
| viikon kuluessa | genitive + kuluessa | within a week |
| kesän aikana | genitive + aikana | during the summer |
| tunnin kuluessa | genitive + kuluessa | within an hour |
Examples
Tapasin hänet kesän aikana.
I met him/her during the summer.
kesän aikana = during summer
Vastaan viikon kuluessa.
I will answer within a week.
viikon kuluessa = within a week
Puhelu tuli yön aikana.
The call came during the night.
yön aikana = during the night
Saat vastauksen tunnin kuluessa.
You will get an answer within an hour.
tunnin kuluessa = within an hour
Practice Exercises
4 exercises
Complete: 'Asuin Suomessa vuoden ___.' (I lived in Finland for a year.)
Complete: 'Olen asunut täällä vuodesta 2020 ___.' (I have lived here since 2020.)
Complete: 'Lähetä raportti maanantaihin ___.' (Send the report by Monday.)
Complete: 'Tapasin hänet kesän ___.' (I met him/her during the summer.)
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
“Maria katsoi elokuvaa lennon aikana.”
“Siitä päivästä lähtien Aladdin ja hänen äitinsä elivät mukavasti, eikä heidän tarvinnut enää kärsiä nälkää.”
“'Mutta toivoisin vastaustasi perjantaihin mennessä.'”
“Ja he elivät onnellisina elämänsä loppuun asti.”
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