Questions & Answers about Lääkärin täytyy olla ajoissa.
Why is the word doctor written as lääkärin instead of lääkäri?
This is the rule for expressing obligation in Finnish. When using the verb täytyy (must/have to), the person who has to do the action is put into the genitive case, which adds an -n to the end.
Does täytyy change depending on who is doing the action?
No, täytyy is a unique verb that is frozen in this form. It never changes to match the person. You just change the subject into the -n form, like minun täytyy (I must) or lääkärin täytyy (the doctor must), and keep täytyy exactly as it is.
Why do we use olla here instead of on?
In a täytyy sentence, the main action verb always stays in its basic dictionary form (the infinitive). Because the sentence means must be, we use the basic form olla (to be) rather than conjugating it.
How does the word ajoissa mean on time?
Ajoissa is built from the word aika (time). It literally means something like in times, but you can simply memorize it as a fixed everyday expression meaning on time or early enough.
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