Yhdysmerkkimerkkejä

Yhdysmerkkimerkkejä, known in English as hyphens, are punctuation marks used to connect words or parts of words. They are distinct from dashes, which are typically longer and used for different grammatical purposes.

In Finnish, hyphens are commonly used to form compound words. For example, in "auto-onnettomuus" (car accident), the hyphen separates the two words that form a single concept. This is particularly useful when one of the words is a proper noun or when clarity is needed to avoid ambiguity. Another common use is in indicating a range, such as "vuosina 1990–2000" (in the years 1990–2000). However, for ranges, a longer dash (en dash) is technically preferred in formal Finnish, though hyphens are often used informally.

Hyphens also appear at the end of a line to indicate a word break when a word needs to be divided due to lack of space. This helps to maintain readability in justified text.

The correct usage of hyphens is a matter of grammar and style. While they serve practical purposes in word formation and line breaks, their misuse can lead to confusion. Finnish grammar guides provide detailed rules on when and how to employ hyphens effectively.