B1 Finnish GrammarConditional Mood
Express hypothetical situations, wishes, and polite requests in Finnish using the conditional mood with -isi- marker.
1Conditional Formation
The Finnish conditional is formed by adding -isi- between the verb stem and personal endings.
Conditional Endings
| Person | Ending | Example (olla) | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| minä | -isin | olisin | I would be |
| sinä | -isit | olisit | you would be |
| hän | -isi | olisi | he/she would be |
| me | -isimme | olisimme | we would be |
| te | -isitte | olisitte | you (pl) would be |
| he | -isivat | olisivat | they would be |
Examples
Haluaisin kahvia.
I would like coffee.
haluta → haluaisin
Hän olisi hyvä opettaja.
He/She would be a good teacher.
olla → olisi
Menisimme mielellään.
We would gladly go.
mennä → menisimme
Voisitko auttaa minua?
Could you help me?
polite request
2Conditional with Jos (If)
Use conditional in both clauses of hypothetical 'if' sentences, or in the main clause with present in the if-clause.
Conditional Patterns
| Type | Structure | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Real condition | Jos + present, present | Jos sataa, jään kotiin |
| Unreal condition | Jos + cond, cond | Jos olisi rahaa, matkustaisin |
| Mixed | Jos + present, cond | Jos tulet, olisi kiva |
Examples
Jos olisin rikas, matkustaisin maailman ympäri.
If I were rich, I would travel around the world.
unreal condition
Jos sinulla olisi aikaa, voisitko auttaa?
If you had time, could you help?
polite hypothetical
Ostaisin sen, jos se olisi halvempi.
I would buy it if it were cheaper.
condition in both clauses
Mitä tekisit, jos voittaisit lotossa?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
hypothetical question
3Polite Requests
The conditional is used for polite requests and suggestions. It softens the tone.
Polite Expressions
| Finnish | English | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Voisitko... | Could you... | polite request |
| Saisitko... | Would you please... | formal request |
| Haluaisitko... | Would you like... | offer |
| Olisiko... | Would there be... | inquiry |
Examples
Voisitko sulkea ikkunan?
Could you close the window?
polite request
Haluaisitko tulla mukaan?
Would you like to come along?
invitation
Olisiko teillä aikaa?
Would you have time?
formal inquiry
Saisitko antaa sen minulle?
Would you please give it to me?
very polite
4Conditional Perfect
The conditional perfect expresses what would have happened. Formed with olisi + past participle.
Conditional Perfect
| Person | Finnish | English |
|---|---|---|
| minä | olisin tehnyt | I would have done |
| sinä | olisit tehnyt | you would have done |
| hän | olisi tehnyt | he/she would have done |
| me | olisimme tehneet | we would have done |
Examples
Olisin tullut, jos olisin tiennyt.
I would have come if I had known.
past unreal condition
Hän olisi voittanut, jos olisi harjoitellut.
He/She would have won if they had practiced.
past hypothetical
Olisimme myöhästyneet ilman sinua.
We would have been late without you.
past counterfactual
En olisi uskonut sitä.
I wouldn't have believed it.
negative conditional perfect