kuunnellessamme

Kuunnellessamme is a Finnish adverbial participle form derived from the verb kuunnella, meaning “to listen.” It is formed with the present active participle stem and the first-person plural suffix -mme, producing a clause that translates roughly as “as we listen” or “while we listened.” The form indicates simultaneity of action and is used to modify the main clause, usually sharing the subject with it.

In use, kuunnellessamme functions as an adverbial participle that attaches to a main clause to set the time or circumstance of the action. It is common in written Finnish and can help create concise sentences by replacing a separate subordinate clause introduced by kuin, kun, or koska. The subject of the participial clause is typically the same as the subject of the main clause.

Example:

- Kuunnellessamme musiikkia tunsimme rauhaa. (As we listened to the music, we felt at peace.)

- Kuunnellessamme radiota kuulimme uutiset. (While we listened to the radio, we heard the news.)

Forms for other persons follow the same pattern, with the person suffix changing:

- kuunnellessani (I)

- kuunnellessasi (you, singular)

- kuunnellessamme (we)

- kuunnellessanne (you, plural)

- kuunnellessaan (he/she/they)

Notes and variations:

- The form is part of Finnish participial grammar and is most apt for formal or literary style.

- Although closely related to other -ess- participles, kuunnellessamme specifically expresses “we” as the subject when paired with a main clause.