kuuntelemalla

Kuuntelemalla is the Finnish gerund form of the verb kuunnella, meaning "by listening." In Finnish grammar it functions as an adverbial participle that expresses means or method in a clause. It serves to describe how an action is carried out, rather than what action is performed.

Formation and usage: The form is created by adding the suffix -malla to the verb stem: kuunnella → kuuntelemalla. It typically appears with a finite main verb and an understood subject. It does not possess its own tense, but conveys the manner of the action. For example: "Kuuntelemalla toisia oppii heidän näkökulmistaan" meaning "By listening to others one learns their perspectives," or "Kuuntelemalla hän oppii paljon," meaning "By listening, he learns a lot."

Relation to other forms: The related noun kuunteleminen means "the act of listening" or "the listening process." The gerund kuuntelemalla emphasizes process or means rather than the action as a whole, and it is common in instructional or advisory contexts to stress listening as a method.

Usage notes: In everyday language, kuuntelemalla is versatile in formal and informal contexts, including education, communication training, and discussion about listening skills. It can be contrasted with other expressions of how something is learned, such as using subordinate clauses with kun or että, but kuuntelemalla specifically foregrounds listening as the instrumental means.