Questions & Answers about Se on juuri niin.
Since this lesson is about the additive '-kin' ending, how would I add it to this sentence to say 'It is ALSO exactly so'?
You attach -kin directly to the word you want to emphasize. To say 'IT also is exactly so' (for example, referring to a second thing), you add it to the pronoun: Sekin on juuri niin. If you want to say 'It IS also exactly so', you add it to the verb: Se onkin juuri niin.
Doesn't the word 'juuri' usually mean 'root'?
Yes, as a noun juuri means the root of a plant or a tree. However, it is very commonly used as an adverb to mean 'just' or 'exactly', as if getting to the root of a matter. You will hear it a lot in the phrase juuri nyt (right now).
Why use 'niin' here instead of 'näin'?
Both are possible, but they have different focuses. Niin points to something just mentioned or slightly distanced ('so' or 'like that'), which makes it perfect for agreeing with another person's statement. Näin means 'like this', so you would say Se on juuri näin if you were physically demonstrating something yourself.
Can I just say 'Juuri niin' on its own without 'Se on'?
Absolutely! In everyday conversations, Finns frequently just say Juuri niin! to strongly agree with the other person. It translates perfectly to 'Exactly!' or 'That is exactly right!'. Adding Se on just makes it a full, slightly more complete sentence.