odottamalla

Odottamalla is the adverbial participle form of the Finnish verb odottaa, meaning “to wait.” It expresses means or manner, and is commonly translated into English as “by waiting” or “while waiting.” As an adverbial participle, odottamalla is non-finite and does not carry person or number; the subject of the adverbial clause is typically the same as the main clause or understood from context.

Form and usage

Odottamalla is formed with the suffix -malla (sometimes written as -mallä in phonological contexts) attached to the verb stem odottaa. This participle can be used before or after the main clause and introduces a subordinate frame that describes how, when, or under what conditions the main action occurs. It is a flexible device in Finnish syntax, enabling concise, lit­erary, or formal expressions of circumstance.

Register and style

Odottamalla is more common in written Finnish and formal registers, where adverbial participles provide a compact alternative to finite subordinate clauses. In everyday spoken Finnish, speakers may opt for finite clauses or other constructions, but odottamalla remains correct and clear when a precise, formal tone is desired.

Etymology and relation to other forms

Odottamalla derives from odottaa, a verb with typical Finnish Proto-Finnic roots. It belongs to the set of adverbial participles formed with -malla, which convey instrument, means, or circumstance without introducing a new subject.