Elon.io is an online learning platform
We have an entire course teaching Finnish grammar and vocabulary.
Questions & Answers about Kysyvätkö he myös?
Why is the question ending -kö instead of -ko in kysyvätkö?
Because of vowel harmony! The verb kysyä (to ask) has the front vowels y and ä. Suffixes added to it must also use front vowels, so the question ending becomes -kö instead of -ko.
Where does the -vät in kysyvätkö come from?
It is the verb ending for they. The dictionary form is kysyä. To say they ask, we add the suffix -vat or -vät. Vowel harmony requires us to use the front vowel version, making it kysyvät.
Do we have to include the word he since the verb already has a they ending?
Yes, you usually do. While you can drop pronouns for I and you in Finnish, third-person pronouns like hän (he/she) and he (they) are generally required in the sentence.
Does -kö mean do or are?
Not exactly. Finnish does not use helper words like do or are to form questions. Instead, you attach -ko or -kö to the word you are asking about. Adding it to kysyvät (they ask) turns it into the yes/no question do they ask? or are they asking?.