Question 1

Since this lesson is about adding -n to objects, why isn't it vaikean asian here?

Accepted Answer

The verb olla (to be) is a linking verb, which means it doesn't take a true object. Instead of an action happening to an object, the verb simply connects the subject to a description. Because of this rule, singular nouns following olla stay in their basic dictionary form rather than taking the -n ending.

Question 2

Why use asia for "thing" or "matter" instead of a word like tavara?

Accepted Answer

English uses "thing" for both physical objects and abstract concepts, but Finnish separates them. Tavara or esine refers to a physical, touchable object. Asia refers to an abstract matter, issue, or topic. Since a "difficult matter" is a concept, asia is the correct word to use here.

Question 3

Does the adjective vaikea have to match the form of asia?

Accepted Answer

Yes, in Finnish, an adjective always has to match the noun it describes. Because the noun asia is in its basic form here, the adjective vaikea must also stay in its basic form. If the noun were to change its ending later on, the adjective would have to change its ending too.

Question 4

I have heard Finnish speakers use se for people. Can it mean "he" or "she" here?

Accepted Answer

In everyday spoken Finnish, people do very often use se (it) to mean "he" or "she" instead of the official written word hän. However, in this specific sentence describing an "asia" (matter), se is just being used for its literal meaning: "it".

Se on vaikea asia.

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