joten

Joten is a Finnish coordinating conjunction used to express consequence. It links two independent clauses and can be translated as "therefore" or "so" in English. Joten is common in both spoken and written Finnish and is appropriate in formal and informal contexts. In written Finnish, a comma typically precedes jotten when it connects two main clauses.

Usage notes include that joten introduces the result of the preceding clause and can refer to a general situation or a more specific one. The subject of the two clauses can be the same or different. Joten can appear mid-sentence as a connector or at the start of a new sentence that refers to the previous statement, for example after a preceding sentence ends.

Examples:

- Sää oli huono, joten emme menneet ulos. (The weather was bad, so we did not go outside.)

- Hän ei valmistunut ajoissa, joten hän myöhästyi. (He did not finish on time, therefore he was late.)

- Olin väsynyt, joten menin nukkumaan. (I was tired, so I went to bed.)

- Joten meidän on suunniteltava uudelleen. (So, we need to plan again.)

Relation to other connectors: joten is part of a family of connectors expressing result, along with words like "siis" and phrases such as "sen vuoksi." While "siis" can also mean "so" or "therefore," it is often slightly less formal and versatile for clarifying or rephrasing. Joten tends to carry a stronger sense of direct causal consequence in written Finnish. In everyday speech, speakers may choose among these options based on tone and formality.