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Melu katoaa, kun suljen ikkunan.

Melu katoaa, kun suljen ikkunan.
The noise disappears when I close the window.

Breakdown of Melu katoaa, kun suljen ikkunan.

minä
I
sulkea
to close
kun
when
kadota
to disappear
melu
noise
ikkuna
window
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Questions & Answers about Melu katoaa, kun suljen ikkunan.

Why is there a comma before kun?

In Finnish, a subordinate clause is normally separated from the main clause with a comma. Here:

  • Main clause: Melu katoaa (The noise disappears)
  • Subordinate clause: kun suljen ikkunan (when I close the window)

So the comma marks the boundary between the two clauses.

What role does melu play, and what case is it in?
Melu is the subject of the sentence (the thing that “disappears”). It’s in the nominative case (the basic dictionary form), which is typical for subjects.
Why is the verb katoaa in that form?

Katoaa is the 3rd person singular present tense of kadota (to disappear):

  • (hän/se) katoaa = (he/it) disappears It agrees with the subject melu (singular).
What exactly does kun mean here, and can it also mean “because”?
Here kun means when (a time relationship). Kun can also mean because in some contexts, but this sentence strongly reads as time/condition: the noise disappears at the time you close the window.
Why is suljen used instead of something like minä suljen?

Finnish usually drops subject pronouns because the verb ending already shows the person:

  • suljen = I close Adding minä is possible, but it adds emphasis/contrast (like I close it, not someone else).
What is the base form of suljen, and why does it look different from sulkea?

The base form is sulkea (to close). The form suljen is 1st person singular present (I close). This verb shows a common change when conjugated (a stem change), so you get sulje- in forms like:

  • suljen, suljet, sulkee, etc.
Why is ikkunan in the -n form? Is that genitive or accusative?

It’s the object of suljen (I close the window). With many verbs, a complete/total object often takes the -n form in affirmative present/past sentences. Formally, ikkunan looks like genitive, and in practice Finnish often uses the same -n form for a total object (sometimes described as “genitive/accusative” depending on the grammar explanation).

Could I say suljen ikkunaa instead? What would change?

Yes, but the meaning changes:

  • suljen ikkunan = I close the window (as a complete action; the window ends up closed)
  • suljen ikkunaa = I’m closing the window / I’m in the process of closing it / I close it partially (more “ongoing” or “incomplete”)

So ikkunan fits best if the window gets fully shut.

Why is everything in the present tense if the meaning is “when I close…” (which feels future-ish in English)?
Finnish commonly uses the present tense for actions that are habitual, general, or immediately upcoming in time clauses. So present tense works naturally for “when(ever)/as soon as” situations like this.
Can I change the word order to Kun suljen ikkunan, melu katoaa?

Yes. Both are correct:

  • Melu katoaa, kun suljen ikkunan.
  • Kun suljen ikkunan, melu katoaa.

The difference is mainly emphasis and flow: starting with the kun-clause highlights the condition/time first. The comma is still used.