Breakdown of Minun täytyy odottaa, koska olen kolmas.
olla
to be
koska
because
odottaa
to wait
täytyä
to have to
minun
my, mine
kolmas
third
Questions & Answers about Minun täytyy odottaa, koska olen kolmas.
Why is it minun täytyy instead of minä täytyy?
The verb täytyy (must / have to) is a special necessity verb in Finnish. It always requires the subject to be in the genitive case (ending in -n). Because of this rule, the basic word minä (I) becomes minun.
Why is the verb odottaa in its basic dictionary form?
When you use a necessity structure like minun täytyy, the action verb that follows it must always be in its basic infinitive (dictionary) form. You do not conjugate odottaa to match the subject here.
What is the difference between kolmas and kolme?
Kolme is the basic counting number "three" (1, 2, 3), while kolmas is the ordinal number "third" (1st, 2nd, 3rd). The sentence means you are the "third" person in line, which is why we use kolmas.
How do I form ordinal numbers like kolmas?
For most numbers from 1 to 10, the basic ordinal form ends in -s. For example, kuusi (six) becomes kuudes (sixth). Keep in mind that "first" (ensimmäinen) and "second" (toinen) are complete exceptions. Kolmas (third) is slightly irregular but clearly shows the typical -s ending.
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