Breakdown of Jos menet metsään valmistautumatta, voit eksyä.
metsä
forest
mennä
to go
voida
can, to be able to
jos
if
valmistautua
to prepare (oneself)
eksyä
to get lost
Questions & Answers about Jos menet metsään valmistautumatta, voit eksyä.
How does the word valmistautumatta translate to "without preparing"?
It uses the -matta ending, which is the abessive form of the third infinitive. It attaches to the verb stem and translates to "without doing" the action. Here, it is attached to the verb valmistautua (to prepare).
How do you find the stem to add -matta to for the verb valmistautua?
To form the third infinitive, you need the strong vowel stem of the verb. For a verb like valmistautua, you simply drop the final -a to get the stem valmistautu-, and then add -matta.
Why do we say metsään instead of metsässä?
The verb mennä (to go) requires a "to" or "into" location case because it expresses movement towards a destination. Metsään is the illative ("into") case of metsä (forest). If you used metsässä, it would mean you are already stationary inside the forest.
Why is the word sinä (you) missing from both parts of the sentence?
In Finnish, it is very common to drop the pronouns minä (I) and sinä (you). The -t endings on the verbs menet and voit already make it completely clear that "you" are the one doing the action.
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