Puhelin on sängyllä, mutta se on äänetön.

The phone is on the bed, but it is on silent.

Breakdown of Puhelin on sängyllä, mutta se on äänetön.

• olla: to be
• mutta: but
• puhelin: the phone
• -llä: on
• sänky: the bed
• se: it
• äänetön: silent

Questions & Answers about Puhelin on sängyllä, mutta se on äänetön.

What does 'sängyllä' mean compared to 'sängyssä'?

Using sängyllä (the adessive case) indicates that the phone is on the surface of the bed. By contrast, sängyssä (the inessive case) would mean the phone is inside the bed, like between sheets or otherwise enclosed.

How do I know when to use 'se' instead of 'hän' when referring to an object like a phone?

In Finnish, se is commonly used for both objects and even animals. Hän is reserved for people (and sometimes for beloved pets). So for a phone, the correct pronoun is se.

Why is there no separate verb for "to be on silent"?

Finnish often uses an adjective for states of being without a separate verb. Se on äänetön literally translates to “It is silent.” There’s no need for an extra verb like to put on silent.

When do I use 'mutta' instead of 'ja'?

Mutta means "but" and is used to contrast two ideas. Ja simply means "and" to join similar ideas. In Puhelin on sängyllä, mutta se on äänetön, you’re emphasizing the contrast that although the phone is on the bed, it isn’t making sound.

Could I also say 'Puhelin on sängyllä, mutta se ei soi'?

Yes, but it would slightly change the focus. Se ei soi means it’s not ringing, while se on äänetön implies it’s on silent mode. Both are correct, but they describe different states of the phone.