Questions & Answers about Mikä tämä on?
Why is the word order Mikä tämä on (What this is) instead of Mikä on tämä (What is this)?
In English, we swap the verb and subject in questions. In Finnish, after a question word like mikä, the word order usually just continues like a normal sentence: Subject (tämä) + Verb (on). While Mikä on tämä? would be understood, Mikä tämä on? is the most natural way to say it.
I've also seen mitä used for 'what'. Why do we use mikä here?
This is a very common hurdle! Use mikä when asking 'What is [thing]?' with the verb olla (to be) to find out the identity of a whole, specific object. You will learn more about mitä later, but it is typically used with other verbs (like 'What are you doing?') or when asking about an uncountable substance (like a spilled liquid).
What is the difference between asking Mikä tämä on? and Mikä se on?
Tämä means 'this'. You use it when the object you are asking about is physically close to you, like in your hands. Se means 'it' or 'that'. You would ask Mikä se on? (What is it?) if the object is a bit further away or you are just referring to something in general.
Do I need to make my voice go up at the end of the sentence to show it's a question?
No! Unlike English, Finnish doesn't usually use a rising pitch at the end of a question. The question word Mikä at the very beginning already does the job of telling the listener that a question is coming.
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