Weather Without a Subject
In Finnish, weather happens without a subject. While English says 'It is raining,' Finnish simply says 'Rains' (Sataa).
How It Works
In Finnish, weather expressions are unique because they do not require a 'dummy subject' like the English word 'it'. These are called zero-subject or impersonal constructions.
- Fixed Form: The verb is always in the 3rd person singular (the same form used for hän or se), but no pronoun is used.
- Precipitation: The verb sataa is the general word for precipitation. To specify what is falling, you add a noun in the partitive case (e.g., vettä 'water', lunta 'snow').
- Tense Changes: Even though the person is fixed, you can still change the tense. For example, satoi (it rained) or on satanut (it has rained).
- Adjectives vs. Verbs: You can describe weather using a verb (sataa) or an adjective with the verb olla (on sateista - it is rainy). The verb describes the action, while the adjective describes the state of the day.
Examples (5)
- Ulkona sataa.
It is raining outside.
Word by Word: Outside rains.
The verb 'sataa' alone usually implies rain if no other substance is mentioned.
- Nyt sataa lunta.
It is snowing now.
Word by Word: Now rains snow (partitive).
To specify snow, we add 'lunta' in the partitive case.
- Eilen tuuli kovasti.
Yesterday it was very windy.
Word by Word: Yesterday blew hard.
The verb 'tuulla' (to blow/be windy) is used in the past tense (imperfect) 3rd person singular.
- Kesällä usein salamoi.
In the summer, there is often lightning.
Word by Word: In summer often lightnings.
'Salamoida' is the specific verb for lightning, used here in the present tense.
- Sataisipa pian!
If only it would rain soon!
Word by Word: Would rain-if-only soon!
This uses the conditional mood '-isi-' with the emphatic particle '-pa'.
Common Mistakes
Using 'se' (it) as a dummy subject.
Se sataa vettä.Sataa vettä.In Finnish, 'se' refers to a specific object. Saying 'Se sataa' sounds like a specific thing (like a bucket) is leaking rain.
Using the nominative case for snow or rain.
Sataa lumi.Sataa lunta.Precipitation is treated as an uncountable mass, so it must be in the partitive case.
Using 'sää' (weather) as the subject of the verb.
Sää sataa.Sataa.The weather (sää) doesn't 'perform' the rain; the rain simply happens impersonally.
How It Connects
Learn This First
To understand weather verbs, you need to know how to conjugate basic Finnish verbs in the 3rd person singular. It is also important to understand standard Finnish word order to recognize that weather expressions are unique because they function without a grammatical subject (like 'it' in English).
- Third Person Lengthening
Weather verbs are used in the 3rd person singular, which requires knowledge of how to form the present tense ending (e.g., sataa, tuulee).
Level 1 - Basic Word Order
Understanding standard subject-verb-object order is necessary to appreciate how weather verbs deviate from this norm by lacking a subject entirely.
Level 1
Related Patterns
- -a/-ä, -ta/-täPartitive (-a/-ta)
The substance falling (rain, snow, hail) must be in the partitive case.
Level 1 - on nälkä / on kylmäFeelings with Olla
Like weather, many Finnish feelings and states use impersonal constructions with 'olla'.
Level 3 - There Is Sentences
Expressions like 'on pakkasta' (it is freezing) follow the logic of existential 'there is' sentences.
Level 2
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Weather Without a Subject in Bubblegum
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