Habits (on tapana)

To express that someone has a habit of doing something, Finnish uses a possessive-style structure combined with the phrase on tapana (literally, "is as a habit").

Build these sentences using the same structure as expressing ownership:

  1. Put the subject in the adessive case (-lla / -llä).
  2. Add the fixed phrase on tapana.
  3. Add the action in its basic dictionary form (the 1st infinitive).
I have a habit of muttering when I work.
Minulla on tapana mutista, kun teen töitä.
He has a habit of tapping the table with a finger.
Hänellä on tapana naputtaa pöytää sormella.
We have a habit of clearing our throats constantly.
Meillä on tapana rykiä jatkuvasti.

Using Nouns as the Subject

This construction works exactly the same way when the subject is a noun.

The student has a habit of fiddling with a pen subconsciously.
Opiskelijalla on tapana hypistellä kynää alitajuisesti.
Dad has a habit of muttering when he reads the news.
Isällä on tapana mutista, kun hän lukee uutisia.
The big dog has a habit of scratching the door.
Isolla koiralla on tapana raapia ovea.

The Generic "One"

To talk about what people in general tend to do (the generic "one"), use the third-person singular form of the verb and leave the subject pronoun out entirely. This is known as the "zero person" structure.

One often babbles to oneself when one is alone at home.
Usein höpöttää itsekseen, kun on yksin kotona.
When there is stress, one taps the table subconsciously.
Kun on stressiä, naputtaa pöytää alitajuisesti.
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