Learn Hardcore Finnish: Kuljen metrolla harvemmin kuin bussilla. - I use the metro less often than the bus.

Kuljen is from kulkea (“to go/move/travel along”) and often suggests habitual movement or how you get around. It’s natural for routines: “I (typically) get around by…”.

Menen (“I go”) focuses on going to a destination; fine for a single trip: Menen bussilla (I’m going by bus [this time]).
Matkustan (“I travel”) sounds a bit more formal or long-distance: Matkustan junalla (I travel by train). Here, Kuljen metrolla reads as a general habit.

Why are metrolla and bussilla in the -lla case?

Finnish uses the adessive case (-lla/-llä) to express means of transport or instrument: “by/with”. So metrolla = “by metro”, bussilla = “by bus”. This is the standard way to say how you travel.

What’s the difference between metrolla and metrossa?

Metrolla (adessive) = by metro (means of transport).
Metrossa (inessive) = in the metro (location inside it). Examples:
Kuljen metrolla = I travel by metro.
Olen metrossa = I’m in the metro.

What does harvemmin mean? Is it a comparative?

Yes. Harvemmin is the comparative adverb of harvoin (rarely). It means “less often.” Related forms:

usein (often) → useammin (more often) → useimmin (most often)
harvoin (rarely) → harvemmin (less often) → harvimmin (least often)

Can I say vähemmän usein instead of harvemmin?

It’s understandable, but Finns much prefer the single-word comparative harvemmin. So use harvemmin for “less often.”

How does kuin work here? Is it always used with comparatives?

Kuin means “than” (also “as” in equality structures) and follows comparatives:

Kuljen metrolla harvemmin kuin bussilla (less often than).
Kuljen metrolla useammin kuin bussilla (more often than).
Equality: yhtä usein kuin (as often as). Don’t confuse kuin with kun (“when”).

Why is it kuin bussilla and not kuin bussi?

You compare like with like. The first item is “travel by metro” (metrolla), so the second should match the same role/case: bussilla (“by bus”). Kuin bussi would mean “than the bus (does)” and doesn’t fit the intended meaning.

Can I change the word order?

Yes. Common variations (all correct, with slightly different emphasis):

Kuljen harvemmin metrolla kuin bussilla.
Metrolla kuljen harvemmin kuin bussilla.
Harvemmin kuljen metrolla kuin bussilla. Finnish word order is flexible; the comparative structure remains intact.

Do I need to say minä?

No. The verb ending -n in kuljen already marks 1st person singular. Minä can be added for emphasis: Minä kuljen…

Is ajan bussilla okay for “I go by bus”?

Generally no. Ajaa means “to drive (a vehicle).” Ajan bussilla implies you are the bus driver. As a passenger, use menen/kuljen/matkustan bussilla. Example where ajaa is fine: Ajan autolla töihin (I drive a car to work).

How would I say the opposite: “I take the metro more often than the bus”?

Kuljen metrolla useammin kuin bussilla.

How can I intensify the comparison (“much less often”)?

Add an intensifier before the comparative:

paljon harvemmin
selvästi harvemmin
huomattavasti harvemmin Example: Kuljen metrolla paljon harvemmin kuin bussilla.

How would I say “I don’t take the metro as often as the bus”?

En kulje metrolla yhtä usein kuin bussilla. For “as rarely as”: yhtä harvoin kuin.

What are other transport words that take -lla/-llä?

Common ones:

autolla (by car)
junalla (by train)
ratikalla (by tram)
pyörällä (by bike)
taksilla (by taxi)
laivalla (by ship), veneellä (by boat)
lentokoneella (by airplane), helikopterilla Exceptions for walking: jalan / jalkaisin / kävellen (“on foot”), not -lla.

How do you conjugate kulkea in the present?

minä kuljen
sinä kuljet
hän kulkee
me kuljemme
te kuljette
he kulkevat Past (imperfect) first person: kuljin (I went/traveled).

Any pronunciation tips for this sentence?

kuljen: the j is like English y (KUL-yen).
harvemmin: double mm is a long sound (har-VEHM-min).
metrolla, bussilla: double consonants are held slightly longer (met-ROL-la, BUS-sil-la). Finnish stress is on the first syllable of each word.

Are there articles like “the” here?

No. Finnish has no articles. Metro/bussi can mean “the metro/bus” or “a metro/bus” depending on context.

How could I express a numeric comparison, like “twice as often by bus as by metro”?

Kuljen bussilla kaksi kertaa useammin kuin metrolla. You can replace the number as needed (e.g., kolme kertaa = three times).

Can I use linja-autolla instead of bussilla?

Yes. Linja-auto is the more formal word for bus. Bussi is the everyday term, and both are acceptable: linja-autolla / bussilla.