Time clauses (kun)

Expressing Time with "kun"

Use the conjunction kun (when) to introduce a subordinate clause that tells when an action happens. Finnish punctuation strictly requires a comma between the main clause and the subordinate clause.

We sail when the weather is good.
Me purjehdimme, kun sää on hyvä.
The captain is happy when the boat is in the harbor.
Kapteeni on iloinen, kun vene on satamassa.
We do not steer when the captain sleeps.
Me emme ohjaa, kun kapteeni nukkuu.

Starting Sentences with "kun"

You can also place the kun clause at the beginning of the sentence. The comma still separates the two clauses.

When the wind is strong, there is a storm on the sea.
Kun tuuli on kova, merellä on myrsky.
When we sail, who steers?
Kun me purjehdimme, kuka ohjaa?
When the wave is big, the captain steers carefully.
Kun aalto on iso, kapteeni ohjaa varovasti.

Contributors