paljonko

Paljonko is a Finnish interrogative word used to ask about quantity or amount. It is formed by combining the determiner paljon (much, many) with the question suffix -ko/-kö, producing a single word, paljonko. It functions as a direct-question word and is placed at the beginning of a sentence or within a clause.

Usage: Paljonko is used to ask questions about price, quantity, duration, or extent. Examples: "Paljonko tämä maksaa?" (How much does this cost?) "Paljonko kahvia käytät?" (How much coffee do you use?) "Paljonko aikaa tarvitset?" (How much time do you need?) It can be used with both countable and uncountable quantities. In formal contexts, speakers may prefer "kuinka paljon" as a more neutral alternative.

Variants and nuance: A hedged form, "paljonkohan," adds an element of uncertainty or polite inquiry, often translated as "I wonder how much." For example: "Paljonkohan tämän maksaa?" In everyday language, many Finns simply say "Paljonko?" or "Paljonko tämä maksaa?" with the same meaning.

Grammar: Paljonko is a fixed compound word; it does not inflect. The rest of the sentence follows normal Finnish grammar, with the verb conjugated for the subject and tense. It can combine with different sentence structures, including questions with pronouns or numerals.