Questions & Answers about Hän on jo postissa jonottamassa.
Why does the verb jonottaa end in -massa here?
This is the third infinitive in the inessive case, which is exactly what this lesson covers! When you combine the verb olla (to be) with a verb ending in -massa or -mässä, it means someone is currently in the middle of doing that action. So on jonottamassa means he is currently actively waiting in line.
Is jonottamassa related to the Finnish word for a line or queue?
Yes! The root word is the noun jono (a line or queue). From that, we get the verb jonottaa (to queue or wait in line). To make it the third infinitive, we take the strong stem jonotta- and add -massa.
Both postissa and jonottamassa end in -ssa. Do they always have to match?
They do not have to match; it is just a coincidence here. The word postissa uses the regular noun inessive case to mean in the post office. The verb jonottamassa uses the third infinitive inessive to mean in the act of waiting. You could change the location to ulkona (outside), and it would still be ulkona jonottamassa.
Could I just say Hän jonottaa jo postissa instead?
Yes, you absolutely could! The phrase Hän jonottaa simply means he waits or he is waiting. Using Hän on jonottamassa puts extra focus on the fact that he is actively in the middle of doing it right at this very moment.