Kouluttaen

Kouluttaen is a Finnish non-finite verb form derived from the verb kouluttaa, meaning to train or educate. It functions as an adverbial participle or gerund, and is used to express the method or means by which an action is carried out. In practice it translates to “by training” or “through training” in English and is commonly used to link two clauses in a sentence, indicating that the first action is performed through training.

Usage and examples

- Kouluttaen henkilöstöä yritys aims to improve service quality and competence. A natural Finnish example is: Kouluttaen henkilöstöä, yritys paransi laatua ja asiakastyytyväisyyttä. This shows that the training of staff is the method through which results are achieved.

- The form is frequent in educational, HR, and project planning language, where it foregrounds training as a deliberate means of change or development. For instance: Hankkeen menestys perustuu kouluttaen osallistujia sekä käytännön että teorian tasolla. (The project’s success rests on training participants in both practical and theoretical aspects.) Note that stylistically, more explicit clauses or other participial forms can be used depending on nuance and formality.

Relation to other forms

- Kouluttaen is one of several non-finite forms that express manner or means. It is closely related to other participial or infinitival constructions derived from kouluttaa, and can often be replaced by a finite clause or by a form such as kouluttamalla, depending on the desired nuance and rhythm of the sentence.

Etymology

- The form originates from the verb kouluttaa (to train/educate) and the -en ending, which functions to create a non-finite, adverbial construction.