Questions & Answers about Tuo on talo.
Why use tuo here instead of se, if both can mean "that"?
Tuo is specifically used when you are pointing out something you can physically see but isn't right next to you (like "that over there"). Se is usually translated as "it", and is often used when talking about something previously mentioned or currently out of sight.
Why is there no word for "a" before talo?
Finnish does not have indefinite articles ("a" or "an") or definite articles ("the"). The word talo all by itself means "a house" or "the house". You figure out which one it is from the context!
Could I change the word order to Talo on tuo?
You could, but it changes the meaning. Tuo on talo is the standard way to identify what an object is ("That is a house"). If you flip it to Talo on tuo, you change the focus, making it mean something closer to "The house is that one."
Is on the only word for "is" in Finnish?
Yes, on is the "he/she/it is" form of the verb olla (to be). You will always use it after singular pronouns like hän (he/she), tämä (this), and tuo (that).
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