Breakdown of Leikkaatko kaikki latvat?
kaikki
all, everything, everyone
leikata
to cut
latva
end (top of a tree)
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Questions & Answers about Leikkaatko kaikki latvat?
What exactly does latvat refer to here?
The base word latva usually refers to the top of a tree or plant, but it is also the standard word for the ends of your hair. In a hair salon, asking to cut the latvat means asking for a trim to remove split ends.
Why does leikata (to cut) become leikkaatko with a double k?
Leikata is a type 4 verb. These verbs undergo reverse consonant gradation, meaning the weak consonant in the dictionary form (the single k) becomes strong (the double kk) when you conjugate it. So, leikata becomes leikkaat (you cut), and then the question particle -ko is attached to the end.
Why is kaikki latvat not in the partitive case? Isn't cutting an action that takes time?
They are in the plural accusative case, which looks exactly like the basic nominative plural with a -t ending. While cutting can be an ongoing action, using this total object case means the action is viewed as complete: you are cutting all of the specific ends. If you used the partitive (kaikkia latvoja), it would sound more like an ongoing, incomplete process.
How would I change this to ask "How do you cut all the ends?" using the current lesson's vocabulary?