Breakdown of Minä haluan opiskella esimerkiksi suomea.
minä
I
opiskella
to study
haluta
to want
suomi
Finnish (language)
esimerkiksi
for example
Questions & Answers about Minä haluan opiskella esimerkiksi suomea.
How does the word esimerkiksi relate to the translative case (-ksi) taught in this lesson?
The word esimerkiksi comes from the noun esimerkki (example). Adding the translative ending -ksi literally means "as an example" or "for an example". While your current lesson focuses on using -ksi for a change of state, it is also commonly used to express a role or purpose. Over time, esimerkiksi simply became the standard fixed adverb for "for example".
Why is the word for Finnish in the partitive case (suomea) instead of its basic form?
The verb opiskella (to study) is a partitive verb. Because studying is an ongoing, continuous process rather than an action you complete instantly, the subject you are studying must always take the partitive ending. Therefore, suomi becomes suomea.
Why do we use the basic form opiskella after haluan?
When you use two verbs together like "want to study", the first verb changes to match the subject (minä haluan = I want). The verb haluta (to want) always requires the second verb to remain in its basic dictionary form (the infinitive), which is opiskella.
Could I put esimerkiksi at the very end of the sentence like we do in English?
You technically can, but it sounds less natural in Finnish. The word esimerkiksi usually sits right in front of the specific thing it is giving as an example. Since you are offering Finnish as the example here, it is most natural to put esimerkiksi immediately before suomea.
Learn Minä haluan opiskella esimerkiksi suomea and more in Finnish
All course content and exercises are completely free — no paywalls, no trial periods, no signup needed.
- ✓ Practice with interactive exercises
- ✓ Track your progress with spaced repetition
- ✓Learn at your own pace — completely free