kuullessa

Kuullessa is a Finnish word that translates to "upon hearing" or "when hearing" in English. It functions as a temporal adverbial clause starter, indicating that an action or event occurs simultaneously with or immediately after a sound is perceived. The word is derived from the verb "kuulla," meaning "to hear."

In Finnish grammar, "kuullessa" is a postpositional case form, specifically the inessive case of the verbal noun form ending in "-essa" or "-essä." This grammatical structure allows for the expression of a specific point in time relative to an auditory experience. For example, "Talosta kuullessa tuli hälytys" translates to "Upon hearing from the house, an alarm sounded," meaning the alarm went off as soon as the sound was heard.

The usage of "kuullessa" is common in everyday Finnish conversation and writing. It provides a concise way to link two events, where one is the act of hearing and the other is a subsequent or simultaneous occurrence. This grammatical construction is a typical feature of Finnish, which often employs case endings and verbal nouns to express complex temporal and causal relationships that might require prepositions or conjunctions in other languages. Understanding "kuullessa" is key to comprehending nuances of time and sequence in Finnish sentences.