Lokakuu on helpompi, jos syysloma on tarpeeksi pitkä.

October is easier if the autumn break is long enough.

Breakdown of Lokakuu on helpompi, jos syysloma on tarpeeksi pitkä.

• olla: to be
• jos: if
• tarpeeksi: enough
• pitkä: long

Questions & Answers about Lokakuu on helpompi, jos syysloma on tarpeeksi pitkä.

Why is it helpompi and not helppo?

Helpompi is the comparative form of helppo (easy), so it means easier.

• helppo = easy
• helpompi = easier

So Lokakuu on helpompi means October is easier, not just October is easy.

Finnish comparatives are often formed with -mpi, although the stem may change a little:

• pitkä → pidempi = longer
• vanha → vanhempi = older
• helppo → helpompi = easier

Why is there no word for than, as in easier than?

In this sentence, Finnish is not directly saying easier than something. It simply says October is easier, if the autumn holiday is long enough.

So helpompi can appear without an explicit comparison target when the context already implies one. English can do this too:

• It’s easier if you rest first.

If Finnish wanted to say easier than September, it would need a separate structure:

• Lokakuu on helpompi kuin syyskuu.
  = October is easier than September.

Here, kuin is the word for than in comparisons.