Breakdown of Delfiini on viisas eläin, kuten koirakin.
olla
to be
koira
dog
viisas
wise
eläin
animal
-kin
also / too (suffix)
kuten
like, as
delfiini
dolphin
Questions & Answers about Delfiini on viisas eläin, kuten koirakin.
What is the difference between kuten and kuin in sentences like this?
While both can translate to "like" or "as", kuten is used to show a parallel situation, manner, or to give examples (like a dog is). kuin is strictly used for direct comparisons of degree, such as with comparative adjectives (for example, viisaampi kuin koira - smarter than a dog).
Why is the suffix -kin attached to koira?
The suffix -kin means "also" or "too". When making comparisons with kuten, Finnish speakers very often add -kin to the example word to emphasize the shared trait. It gives the natural feel of saying "just as a dog is, too".
Could I just write kuten koira without the -kin suffix?
You can, and it is grammatically correct, but adding -kin makes the sentence sound much more natural and cohesive in Finnish. Without it, the comparison feels slightly abrupt or incomplete to a native ear.
Why is there a comma before kuten here?
In Finnish grammar, when kuten introduces a distinct comparative phrase or an additional example appended to a complete thought, a comma is required. The first part, Delfiini on viisas eläin, forms a fully independent clause on its own.
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