Question 1

Why does Finnish use the comparative kapeampi (narrower) instead of the basic adjective like in the English phrase "twice as narrow"?

Accepted Answer

When expressing exact multiples like "twice as" or "three times as", Finnish almost always uses the comparative form of the adjective. So while English uses the basic adjective in "twice as narrow", Finnish literally says "two times narrower" (kaksi kertaa kapeampi).

Question 2

How would I express this exact same meaning using the partitive fraction structure taught in this lesson?

Accepted Answer

You could say puolta kapeampi (literally "a half narrower"). Both kaksi kertaa kapeampi (two times narrower) and puolta kapeampi are very natural and interchangeable ways in Finnish to describe something being half the width of something else.

Question 3

The word saareke looks a lot like saari (island). How are they related?

Accepted Answer

Saareke is formed by adding the suffix -ke to the stem of saari (saare-). The -ke suffix often creates a smaller version of a noun or a related practical object. While saari is a natural geographical island, saareke is the standard word for a kitchen island, a traffic island, or a very small islet.

Question 4

Could I drop the word kuin (than) in this comparison?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can use the partitive comparison structure you learned earlier. If you drop kuin, the word you are comparing against must be in the partitive case and is usually placed right before the adjective. The sentence would then end: ...kaksi kertaa vanhaa kapeampi.

Uusi saareke on kaksi kertaa kapeampi kuin vanha.

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