epäsuoraa

Epäsuora is a Finnish adjective meaning indirect or not direct. In everyday language it describes things that are conveyed without being stated outright, such as indirect references or insinuations. In Finnish linguistics the term is used to distinguish indirect constructions from direct ones, notably epäsuora puhe (indirect speech) and epäsuora kysymys (indirect question).

In grammar, epäsuora puhe refers to reporting someone’s words or thoughts without quoting them verbatim. It is typically introduced with a dependent clause, often using the conjunction että or a question word. Example: Direct: Hän sanoi, "Minä tulen huomenna." Indirect: Hän sanoi, että hän tulee huomenna. Indirect questions are formed by embedding a question within a reporting clause, such as: Direct: "Missä asut?" Indirect: Hän tiedusteli, missä hän asui. In Finnish, pronouns and other time expressions may shift to reflect the perspective of the listener or speaker, and the tense backshift is less rigid than in some other languages.

Epäsuora also appears outside strict speech reporting, describing indirect means of communication or implicit meaning, such as epäsuora viestintä (indirect communication) or epäsuora vihje (indirect hint). The term helps distinguish non-explicit or non-ornate expression from suora (direct) expression.

See also: suora puhe (direct speech), epäsuora kysymys (indirect question). The concept is a standard part of Finnish grammar and stylistics, used in both descriptive linguistics and language pedagogy.