Lyhytkään

Lyhytkään is a Finnish word that translates to "even short" or "short too" in English. It is formed by combining the adjective "lyhyt" (short) with the particle "kään" (even, too, also). The particle "kään" is an enclitic, meaning it is attached to the end of a word and modifies its meaning.

The primary function of lyhytkään is to emphasize the shortness of something, often in a context where one might expect it to be longer or more substantial. For example, "Vaikka päivä oli lyhytkään, ehdimme nähdä paljon" translates to "Although the day was even short, we managed to see a lot." Here, "lyhytkään" highlights that despite the limited duration, a significant amount was accomplished.

Another common usage involves comparing something to a preceding or implied state. If something has been reduced in length, "lyhytkään" can be used to comment on its current state. For instance, "Hänen hiuksensa olivat ennen pitkät, mutta nyt lyhytkään" could mean "Her hair used to be long, but now it's short too." This implies a change from a longer state to a shorter one.

The word is relatively common in everyday Finnish conversation and writing, contributing to the nuanced expression of duration, size, and comparison. Its grammatical function as an emphatic particle attached to an adjective makes it a distinct feature of Finnish grammar. Understanding "lyhytkään" is crucial for comprehending subtle shades of meaning in Finnish discourse.