Jos means if and it's used quite similarly as in English:
- Tulen, jos ehdin. - I'll come if I'll have time.
- Tulisin, jos minulla olisi rahaa. - I'd come if I had money.
- Tuletko, jos tilaan pitsaa? - Will you come if I'll order some pizza?
- Jos uskaltaisin, irtisanoutuisin töistä ja muuttaisin metsään. - If I dared, I'd quit my job and move to a forest.
However, you shouldn't use jos in indirect questions:
- Tiedätkö,
jos hän tulee? - Do you know if he will come? - Haluaisin kysyä,
jos onvielä mahdollista ilmoittautua kurssille. - I'd like to know if it's still possible to sign up for the course.
Instead of saying jos, add ko or kö to the verb:
- Tiedätkö, tuleeko hän? - Do you know if he will come?
- Haluaisin kysyä, onko vielä mahdollista ilmoittautua kurssille. - I'd like to know if it's still possible to sign up for the course.
I know that many Finnish learners and even some Finns use jos in indirect questions, probably because it is so common in many other languages.. but now you know better!
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4 comments:
Kiitoksia :)
Simple and easy explanation. Thank you so much for this wonderful blog.
tiietkö onko se oikeaa tava rantaan vai ei ? do you know i this is the way to the beach or not ?
tunteeko siltä tää aika on toistuva ? it feels as if this moment is repeated (deja vu)
This blog is really appreciated. I always look forward to updates. Kiitos.
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