Vaihtaessa

Vaihtaessa is a Finnish word that translates to "while changing" or "when changing" in English. It functions as a temporal adverbial particle, indicating an action or state occurring during a transition. The word itself is derived from the verb "vaihtaa," meaning "to change." It is commonly used in everyday speech to describe the circumstances surrounding a shift from one state, condition, or position to another.

For example, one might say "puhelin sammui vaihtaessa akkua" which translates to "the phone turned off while changing the battery." Here, "vaihtaessa" clearly marks the time frame during which the phone powered down. It can also be used to describe ongoing processes. "Maisema muuttui vaihtaessa vuodenaikaa" means "the landscape changed while changing seasons." The particle emphasizes the period of transition, acknowledging that change is not instantaneous but occurs over a duration. Its usage is flexible and can apply to physical, abstract, or temporal changes.