Breakdown of Kansalaisen täytyy maksaa vero.
täytyä
to have to
vero
the tax
maksaa
to pay
kansalainen
the citizen
Questions & Answers about Kansalaisen täytyy maksaa vero.
Wait, where is the passive voice verb in this sentence?
There actually isn't one! This sentence is included in the passive lesson to show a very important connection: "must" sentences (using täytyy) and passive sentences share the exact same rule for their objects. In both types of sentences, a total object takes the basic nominative form rather than the -n ending.
Why is the object vero not written as veron?
In a normal active sentence, "the tax" would take the -n ending (like Minä maksan veron). However, because this sentence uses the "must" verb täytyy, the object drops the -n and stays in the basic nominative form (vero). As mentioned, this is the same rule you use for objects in the passive voice.
Why is the word for citizen (kansalainen) in the genitive form (kansalaisen)?
In Finnish, when you use a "necessive" verb like täytyy (must / has to), the person who has to do the action is not in the basic nominative case. Instead, they must be put into the genitive case. So, kansalainen becomes kansalaisen.
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