Breakdown of Onko parempi kirjoittaa italiaksi kuin ranskaksi?
olla
to be
kirjoittaa
to write
kuin
than / before (in 'ennen kuin') / like / as
parempi
better
Questions & Answers about Onko parempi kirjoittaa italiaksi kuin ranskaksi?
Why do we use the translative ending -ksi on the languages (italiaksi, ranskaksi)?
When expressing what language you speak, write, or communicate in, Finnish uses the translative case (-ksi). You cannot use the 'in' ending (-ssa / -ssä), because that is strictly reserved for physical locations like being inside the country of Italy (Italiassa).
Where is the word 'it' in Onko parempi (Is it better)?
Finnish does not use dummy subjects like 'it' for general statements. While in English you must say 'Is it better to write...', in Finnish you simply start with the verb on plus the question particle -ko, followed directly by the adjective.
Could I drop the word kuin (than) and use the partitive case for French instead?
No. You can sometimes drop kuin and put the compared item in the partitive case (e.g., auto on pyörää nopeampi - a car is faster than a bike). However, that rule only works when comparing basic nouns. Because you are comparing two words that are already in the translative case (italiaksi and ranskaksi), you must use kuin.
Why aren't italiaksi and ranskaksi capitalized in this sentence?