Breakdown of Kun kurssi loppuu, alan käyttää mustaa vyötä.
alkaa
to start
loppua
to end
kurssi
course
kun
when (conjunction)
Questions & Answers about Kun kurssi loppuu, alan käyttää mustaa vyötä.
Why is the second verb in its basic form (käyttää) instead of käyttämään?
The verb alkaa (to start) is special because it requires the verb that follows it to be in the basic dictionary form, also known as the 1st infinitive. That is why it is alan käyttää. If you used the other verb for starting, ruveta, it would require the 3rd infinitive form instead: rupean käyttämään.
Doesn't käyttää usually mean to use? How does it translate to wearing a belt?
You are right, käyttää primarily means to use. In Finnish, however, you also use clothes and accessories when you wear them as an ongoing state. So, wearing a belt translates naturally as using a belt (käyttää vyötä).
Why is the black belt in the partitive case (mustaa vyötä)?
The verb käyttää is a partitive verb. This means that whatever object you are using or wearing must be put into the partitive case. Both the adjective musta and the noun vyö get partitive endings here.
Why does the sentence use loppuu for the course ending instead of lopettaa?
The verb loppua means that something ends or runs out on its own, which fits perfectly when the course is the subject (kurssi loppuu). The verb lopettaa means to actively finish or stop doing something, which you would use if you were the subject ending the course yourself.