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Questions & Answers about Milloin juna lähtee?
Why isn't there a word for 'does' in the Finnish sentence?
English uses helper verbs like 'do' or 'does' to make questions, but Finnish does not. You just put the question word milloin (when) first, followed directly by the subject juna (train) and the verb lähtee (leaves).
Is milloin only used for asking about clock times?
No, milloin is the general word for 'when' and works for any time frame, like days or months. If you want to ask specifically 'at what time' by the clock, Finns often use a different phrase: moneltako or mihin aikaan.
How do we get the verb form lähtee?
The dictionary form of this verb is lähteä (to leave). Because the subject juna (train) is an 'it', we need the third-person singular form. We find this by taking the stem lähte- and doubling the final vowel, which gives us lähtee.
Can I use the verb lähteä when a person is leaving, or just for vehicles?
You can use it for both! It is a very common verb for departing or leaving a place. For example, you can say minä lähden (I am leaving) just as easily as juna lähtee (the train leaves).