puhutessa

Puhutessa is a Finnish word that functions as an adverbial participle meaning “while speaking” or “when speaking.” It is formed from the verb puhua (to speak) and belongs to a class of -essa/-essä constructions used in Finnish to express circumstance or time.

In grammar, adverbial participles like puhutessa are used to introduce subordinate clauses that describe the background or conditions under which an action occurs. They provide a compact way to relate two actions in a single clause and are roughly equivalent to the English “while speaking.” The form is most commonly found in written Finnish and in linguistic or instructional contexts.

Usage and style: Puhutessa carries a formal or literary flavor and is more typical of grammars, dictionaries, or carefully crafted prose than of everyday speech. In ordinary conversation, speakers usually prefer more explicit subordinate clauses, such as “kun puhutaan” (when one speaks) or other periphrastic constructions. As a result, puhutessa is best regarded as a stylistic option for precise or compact expression rather than a routine part of casual discourse.