Breakdown of Jääkaapin ovi sulkeutuu nopeasti.
nopeasti
fast
jääkaappi
fridge
ovi
door
sulkeutua
to close (intransitive)
Questions & Answers about Jääkaapin ovi sulkeutuu nopeasti.
How does the verb sulkeutuu fit this lesson's topic?
It is an automative verb derived from sulkea (to close something). By changing the ending to the -tua suffix, it becomes sulkeutua, which means the action happens on its own (the door closes itself) without a specific person doing it.
Why can't I just use the base verb and say Jääkaapin ovi sulkee nopeasti?
Because sulkea always needs a target receiving the action. If you used sulkee, it would sound like the fridge door is actively closing something else! English uses the word close for both, but Finnish requires the automative form sulkeutuu when the subject is the thing being closed.
Why is jääkaappi written here as jääkaapin?
It is in the genitive case, marked by the -n ending, to show possession or belonging. It literally translates to the fridge's door. This is the standard way in Finnish to link nouns when one is a part of the other.
How is the word nopeasti formed?
It is an adverb modifying the verb sulkeutuu, telling us how the door closes. You form it by taking the adjective nopea (quick) and adding the -sti suffix, which works exactly like adding -ly in English to make quickly.