yöaikaan

Yöaikaan is a Finnish adverbial expression meaning "during the night" or "at night." It designates a time interval within the nighttime hours and is used to describe when an action occurs, when restrictions apply, or when events are scheduled. The exact hours considered night can vary by season and location.

Origin and grammar: The phrase is a compound of yö (night) and aika (time) with the suffix -an, forming a temporal expression that functions as an adverbial modifier. It is analogous to other time-marking forms such as päiväaikaan (during daytime). In usage, yöaikaan can modify verbs or whole clauses to specify timing.

Usage: Yöaikaan appears in spoken language, written reports, signage, and schedules. It is common in contexts such as transportation timetables, business restrictions, event planning, and media reporting. Examples include: Yöaikaan liikenne on yleensä harvempaa. Tapahtuma järjestetään yöaikaan. Public notices may specify that services operate yöaikaan.

Related terms and nuances: Yöaikaan is distinct from more general words for night, such as öisin or yöllä, which can carry slightly different nuances or be used in different stylistic registers. The phrase is often paired with other time-related nouns to describe specific nighttime activities or regulations, and it is frequently used in formal and semi-formal Finnish text.