Word
Se laukku on minun.
Meaning
That bag is mine.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Questions & Answers about Se laukku on minun.
I learned that se means "it". Why is it translated as "that" here?
In Finnish, se does double duty as both the pronoun "it" and the demonstrative word "that". When you put it directly in front of a noun like laukku (bag), it points out a specific object, so se laukku translates to "that bag".
How does the ending on minun make it mean "mine"?
Minun is the genitive (possessive) form of minä (I). The -n ending is the Finnish way to show ownership, similar to adding an apostrophe-s ('s) in English. Taking the base word minä and applying this rule makes it minun, meaning "my" or "mine".
Is there a different Finnish word for "my" versus "mine"?
No, Finnish uses the exact same word for both! Minun can mean "my" (as in minun laukku, meaning "my bag") or "mine" (as in se laukku on minun, meaning "that bag is mine"). You simply rely on the context to choose the best English translation.
Will I hear people say minun exactly like this in everyday conversations?
You will in formal situations or careful speech, but in casual spoken Finnish, minun is very frequently shortened to mun. Because of this, you are highly likely to hear someone say Se laukku on mun in everyday life.