Syödessään

Syödessään is a Finnish word that functions as a temporal adverbial. It translates to "while eating" or "during eating" in English. The word is formed by taking the infinitive form of the verb "syödä" (to eat) and adding the suffix "-ssään," which indicates simultaneity of action. This suffix is a possessive suffix, typically referring back to the subject of the main clause, implying that the eating is being done by the same person or entity that is performing the action of the main verb.

For example, in the sentence "Hän luki kirjaa syödessään omenaa," the word "syödessään" means "while eating an apple." The subject of the main clause is "hän" (he/she), and the suffix "-ssään" refers back to "hän," indicating that he/she is the one eating the apple. This grammatical structure is common in Finnish for expressing concurrent actions, particularly when the actor is the same. It allows for a more concise and flowing sentence compared to using separate clauses. The word emphasizes the simultaneous nature of two activities, one being the act of eating.