Pyyhin kyyneleen pois, koska elokuvan loppu on surullinen.

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Breakdown of Pyyhin kyyneleen pois, koska elokuvan loppu on surullinen.

• olla: to be
• koska: because
• elokuva: the movie

Questions & Answers about Pyyhin kyyneleen pois, koska elokuvan loppu on surullinen.

Does pyyhin mean I wipe or I wiped?

It can be either, depending on context.

With the verb pyyhkiä, the minä form pyyhin can be ambiguous between present and past. So this sentence could be understood as:

• I wipe away a tear, because the ending of the movie is sad
• or I wiped away a tear, because the ending of the movie is sad

Usually the surrounding context tells you which one is meant. Finnish often allows this kind of ambiguity when the situation makes the time clear.

Why is there no minä at the beginning?

Because Finnish usually leaves out subject pronouns when the verb ending already shows the person.

Here, pyyhin ends in -n, which tells you the subject is I. So minä is not necessary.

You could say Minä pyyhin kyyneleen pois..., but that would usually add emphasis, contrast, or a slightly less neutral tone.

Why is it kyyneleen and not kyynel?