kuinka paljon
How Much (Kuinka Paljon)
Kuinka paljon (or the shorter paljonko) is used to ask 'how much'. It is used with uncountable mass nouns in the partitive, or with the nominative when asking about prices or time.
How It Works
In Finnish, the question word is typically fronted to the beginning of the clause. There are two main ways to ask 'how much':
- Kuinka paljon: The standard neutral form.
- Paljonko: A very common alternative formed by adding the -ko question suffix to the word paljon.
When to use the Partitive:
Use the partitive case for uncountable mass nouns or abstract quantities (e.g., Kuinka paljon aikaa? - How much time?).
Asking for Price or Time:
When asking for a price or the time, the subject stays in the nominative:
1. Paljonko tämä maksaa? (How much does this cost?)
2. Paljonko kello on? or Mitä kello on? (What time is it?)
How Much vs. How Many:
For countable items, use kuinka monta or montako. These usually take the partitive singular (e.g., kuinka monta kirjaa - how many books).
Examples (5)
- Kuinka paljon tämä maksaa?
How much does this cost?
Word by Word: How much this costs?
This is a standard way to ask for a price using the full phrase 'kuinka paljon'.
- Paljonko kello on?
What time is it?
Word by Word: How much the clock is?
A common way to ask for the time. You can also say 'Mitä kello on?'
- Kuinka paljon maitoa on jäljellä?
How much milk is left?
Word by Word: How much milk is left?
Here, 'maitoa' is in the partitive singular because milk is an uncountable mass noun.
- Kuinka monta omenaa sinä otat?
How many apples are you taking?
Word by Word: How many apple you take?
For countable items like apples, use 'kuinka monta' or 'montako' followed by the partitive singular.
- Paljonko se tekee yhteensä?
How much does it come to in total?
Word by Word: How much it makes together?
A very common phrase used at a checkout counter when paying.
Common Mistakes
Using the partitive case for the subject of 'maksaa' (to cost) or 'olla' (to be) when asking for a price or time.
Paljonko tätä maksaa?Paljonko tämä maksaa?When asking 'how much does this cost', the word 'tämä' (this) is the subject and stays in the nominative case. The partitive is used for the substance or quantity itself.
Using 'kuinka paljon' when you want an exact count.
Different MeaningKuinka paljon kirjoja sinulla on?Kuinka monta kirjaa sinulla on?'Kuinka paljon kirjoja sinulla on?' is fine and common; it asks for a rough amount. To ask for an exact number of countable items, use montako or 'kuinka monta' followed by the partitive singular.
Forgetting the partitive for mass nouns.
Kuinka paljon vesi on jäljellä?Kuinka paljon vettä on jäljellä?When asking about the amount of an uncountable substance, the noun must be in the partitive case.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'kuinka paljon' correctly, you need to understand how to form the partitive case, as it is required for the objects being quantified. Additionally, familiarity with the question suffix -ko is necessary to understand the synonymous form 'paljonko'.
- -a/-ä, -ta/-täPartitive (-a/-ta)
The pattern 'kuinka paljon' is followed by a noun in the partitive case when asking about quantities of uncountable things.
Level 1 - -ko/-köYes-No Questions with -ko/-kö
The alternative form 'paljonko' uses the question suffix -ko to form the interrogative.
Level 1 - mitenHow (Miten)
Understanding basic interrogatives like 'miten' (how) provides the functional foundation for 'kuinka' (how).
Level 1
Related Patterns
- montakoHow Many (Montako)
Montako (how many) is used specifically for counting individual items and takes the partitive singular.
Level 2 - paljon / vähän + PartitiveAmount Words Take the Partitive
This explains the general rule that quantity words like 'paljon' (much) and 'vähän' (little) trigger the partitive.
Level 2 - Talking About Prices
Asking 'how much' is the most fundamental part of discussing prices and shopping.
Level 2 - kello onTelling the Time
The phrase 'Paljonko kello on?' is the standard way to ask for the time.
Level 1
Words in This Pattern
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