lause

Lause is a fundamental unit of language that expresses a complete thought and is used to convey information, ask questions, issue commands, or express emotions. In Finnish, the term typically translates to sentence in English. A lause usually contains a predicate, and in ordinary declarative sentences it also has a subject, though Finnish word order is flexible due to case marking. The term lause is distinguished from lauseke (a smaller unit such as a phrase) and from virke (an utterance or clause in some contexts).

Lause types can be classified by structure and function. Simple sentences consist of a single independent clause, such as Koira barks in Finnish as Koira haukkuu. Compound sentences join two independent clauses with coordinating conjunctions like ja (and) or mutta (but), for example Minä luen kirjaa ja katson televisiota. Complex sentences combine an independent clause with one or more dependent clauses, for example Kun sade lakkaa, menen ulos. The dependent clauses cannot stand alone and function as nouns, adjectives, or adverbs within the sentence.

Lause mood and punctuation also play a role. Declarative sentences state information with a typical period at the end, interrogative sentences ask questions and end with a question mark, imperative sentences give commands, and exclamative sentences express strong emotion and end with an exclamation mark. In Finnish, questions can be formed by word order changes or by adding question particles such as -ko/-kö to the verb.

Etymologically, lause is linked to the verb lausua, meaning to utter or pronounce, reflecting the idea that a sentence is something that is spoken or written as a unit. Understanding lause involves recognizing its structure, function, and punctuation within the broader system of Finnish grammar.