Duration clauses (niin kauan kuin)

Expressing Duration with niin kauan kuin

Use the conjunction phrase niin kauan kuin (as long as) to express that a condition remains true for a certain duration. When talking about food preservation, this pairs well with the verb säilyä (to stay fresh).

The milk stays fresh in the fridge as long as it is cold.
Maito säilyy jääkaapissa niin kauan kuin se on kylmää.
The meat stays fresh in the freezer as long as you want.
Liha säilyy pakastimessa niin kauan kuin haluat.

Expiration and Spoilage

You can also use niin kauan kuin with negative clauses to state that food remains safe as long as it hasn't expired, spoiled, or grown mold.

The food is edible as long as the date is not past.
Ruoka on syömäkelpoista niin kauan kuin päiväys ei ole ohi.
The fish does not spoil as long as it does not turn warm.
Kala ei pilaannu niin kauan kuin se ei muutu lämpimäksi.
The apple is edible as long as there is no mold on it.
Omena on syömäkelpoinen niin kauan kuin siinä ei ole hometta.

Safe Storage

Proper storage often requires an ilmatiivis rasia (airtight container). If you are unsure about a product, you can rely on your senses to haistaa (to smell) if the food has gone bad.

Food storage is safe in an airtight container.
Ruoan säilytys on turvallista ilmatiiviissä rasiassa.
You can smell when the fish spoils.
Voit haistaa, kun kala pilaantuu.