Question 1

Why is vei used here for "took" instead of otti?

Accepted Answer

In Finnish, viedä (past tense vei) means "to take" in the sense of transporting or leading something away from the speaker. Ottaa means "to take" in the sense of grabbing, picking up, or taking possession of something.

Question 2

Why does the object todisteen end in -n?

Accepted Answer

It is the direct object of the sentence. Because the action of taking the evidence is viewed as a complete action, the object takes the genitive-accusative ending -n. The base form of the word is todiste (a piece of evidence).

Question 3

How does the compound word oikeudenkäyntiin break down?

Accepted Answer

It is made of oikeuden (the genitive of oikeus, meaning justice or court) and käynti (a visit or going). Together, oikeudenkäynti means a trial. The extra -in at the end is the illative (into) case, required by the verb viedä to show where the evidence was taken.

Question 4

What is the literal meaning of the word asianajaja?

Accepted Answer

It literally means "driver of a matter" or "pursuer of a cause." It combines asian (genitive of asia, meaning matter, case, or business) and ajaja (driver or operator, from the verb ajaa).

Question 5

Since the current lesson covers the word sillä (for / because), how would we add a clause starting with sillä to this sentence?

Accepted Answer

You could add a comma and then your reason, like this: Asianajaja vei todisteen oikeudenkäyntiin, sillä se oli uusi. (The lawyer took the evidence to the trial, for it was new). Because sillä is a coordinating conjunction, the sentence order in the second clause stays exactly like a normal main clause.

Asianajaja vei todisteen oikeudenkäyntiin.

Breakdown of Asianajaja vei todisteen oikeudenkäyntiin.

Questions & Answers about Asianajaja vei todisteen oikeudenkäyntiin.

Learn Asianajaja vei todisteen oikeudenkäyntiin and more in Finnish