jos
If (Jos)
jos = if
Used for real conditions that might actually happen. Unlike English, Finnish uses the present tense for both the 'if' part and the result part, even when talking about the future.
How It Works
The conjunction jos is the standard way to say 'if' in Finnish. At this level, we focus on 'real conditions'—things that are genuinely possible.
1. Tense Usage
In English, we often say 'If it rains, I will stay home.' In Finnish, you use the present indicative in both clauses: Jos sataa, jään kotiin (literally: 'If it rains, I stay home').
2. The Negative Form: ellei, jollei, and jos ei
When you want to say 'if not' (unless), Finnish often uses a special word: ellei. This is a combination of jos and the negative verb. It must be conjugated to match the subject (ellen, ellet, ellei...).
Crucially, the verb following ellei must be in the connegative form, just like in a normal negative sentence: ellei sada (if it doesn't rain).
You will also see the synonym jollei, which works exactly the same way. Alternatively, you can use the uncontracted form jos ei (e.g., jos hän ei tule).
3. Punctuation
Finnish is strict about commas. You must place a comma between the jos-clause and the main clause, regardless of which one comes first.
4. Jos vs. Kun
Use jos when you aren't sure if something will happen. Use kun (when) when you know it will happen and are just waiting for the time.
Examples (5)
- Jos sataa, jään kotiin.
If it rains, I [will] stay home.
Word by Word: If rains, I-stay home-into.
Notice that both verbs are in the present tense, even though the meaning refers to the future.
- Soita minulle, jos sinulla on aikaa.
Call me if you have time.
Word by Word: Call me-to, if you-on is time-partitive.
This uses a possessive clause inside the 'if' clause.
- Ellet syö, ruoka jäähtyy.
If you don't eat, the food gets cold.
Word by Word: If-not-you eat, food cools-down.
Here, 'ellet' is the conjugated negative form of 'jos'.
- Menen kauppaan, jos minä ehdin.
I will go to the store if I have time/make it.
Word by Word: I-go store-into, if I reach/make-it.
A comma is required before 'jos' when the main clause comes first.
- Jos hän tulee, olemme iloisia.
If he/she comes, we will be happy.
Word by Word: If he/she comes, we-are happy-plural.
The result clause uses the standard verb olla in the present tense.
Common Mistakes
Using 'jos' for indirect questions (whether).
En tiedä jos hän tulee.En tiedä, tuleeko hän.In English, "if" is used for "whether". In careful written Finnish, an indirect yes/no question uses the -ko/-kö question clitic. Jos is common in speech, but many writers avoid it in formal text.
Forgetting the comma between clauses.
Jos sataa jään kotiin.Jos sataa, jään kotiin.Finnish grammar requires a comma to separate a subordinate clause (starting with jos) from the main clause.
Menen nukkumaan, jos kello on kymmenen is a fine sentence, but it means "I go to bed if the clock says ten", as if that is uncertain.
Different MeaningMenen nukkumaan, jos kello on kymmenen.Menen nukkumaan, kun kello on kymmenen.Use "kun" when the time will certainly come ("when it is ten"). Use "jos" when it is a real condition that may or may not be true.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To use 'jos' (if) correctly, you need to be comfortable with basic Finnish sentence structure and the present tense, as 'jos' typically introduces a condition using standard verb forms without requiring the conditional mood at this level.
- Present Tense
The pattern 'jos' introduces a real condition where the verb in the conditional clause remains in the ordinary present tense.
Level 1 - ja / mutta / taiBasic Conjunctions
Familiarity with basic conjunctions provides the foundation for using 'jos' as a subordinating conjunction to link clauses.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- kunWhen (Kun)
'Kun' (when) is often confused with 'jos' (if); 'kun' implies certainty while 'jos' implies a condition.
Level 2 - ellen / ellet / elleiConjugated Negative Conditional
These are the conjugated negative forms of 'jos', meaning 'if not' or 'unless'.
Level 5 - -ko/-köYes-No Questions with -ko/-kö
Used instead of 'jos' when translating 'if' in the sense of 'whether' (e.g., 'I don't know if...').
Level 1 - -isi-Conditional (-isi-)
Used with 'jos' for 'unreal' conditions (e.g., 'If I were rich...').
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice jos in Bubblegum
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