Questions & Answers about Syö omena, niin tulet terveeksi!
Why does this sentence use terveeksi instead of the basic word terve?
The ending -ksi is the translative case, which expresses a change of state. Here, the sentence describes changing from sick to healthy. When you use the verb tulla to mean "to become", the word for the new state must take this -ksi ending.
How do we get the exact form terveeksi from terve?
The basic word terve (healthy) ends in -e. A common rule in Finnish is that words ending in -e double that vowel before adding most grammatical endings. So, the base becomes tervee-, and then we attach the -ksi suffix.
Doesn't the verb tulla usually mean "to come"?
Yes, its basic dictionary meaning is "to come". However, tulla is a very versatile verb. When you combine it with a word in the translative case (like terveeksi), the meaning shifts from "to come" to "to become".
Why is the object omena and not omenan (with the usual -n ending)?
This happens because of a special rule for commands. The verb syö (eat!) is an imperative. When you give a command that affects a whole object (like eating an entire apple), you drop the usual -n ending. The object looks exactly like its basic dictionary form.