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Neljä ja neljä on kahdeksan.

Neljä ja neljä on kahdeksan.
Four and four is eight.
From Lesson 20:Numbers 1 to 10 (yksi, kaksi, kolme)·Finnish

Breakdown of Neljä ja neljä on kahdeksan.

olla
to be
ja
and
neljä
four
kahdeksan
eight

Questions & Answers about Neljä ja neljä on kahdeksan.

Why do we use on (is) instead of ovat (are) when adding numbers?
In Finnish math equations, the whole sum is treated as one single abstract idea. Therefore, you always use the singular verb on (is), not the plural ovat (are).
Can I say plus instead of ja?
Yes, absolutely! Just like in English, using ja (and) is very common for simple math, but you can also say Neljä plus neljä on kahdeksan.
Why don't the numbers have any special endings here?
Because this is a simple statement of fact, the numbers stay in their basic dictionary form (the nominative case). You will learn later that Finnish numbers can take special endings when they describe other words in a sentence, like 'in four houses', but they don't need them for basic math.
Is there a specific Finnish word for 'equals'?
Yes, if you want to be mathematically precise, you will sometimes hear on yhtä kuin (is equal to). However, using the simple verb on is the most natural and common way to say this in everyday speech.

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