Breakdown of Sokea mies kykenee lukemaan kirjaa, koska hänellä on hyvä apuväline.
olla
to be
kirja
book
hän
he / she
mies
man
koska
because
hyvä
good
lukea
to read
kyetä
to be able to
sokea
blind
apuväline
assistive device
Questions & Answers about Sokea mies kykenee lukemaan kirjaa, koska hänellä on hyvä apuväline.
Why is "to read" translated as lukemaan rather than the basic form lukea?
The verb kyetä (to be able to) is a special verb that requires the action verb following it to be in the third infinitive illative form, which ends in -maan or -mään. It acts just like pystyä. You cannot say kykenee lukea; it has to be kykenee lukemaan.
Could I use osaa or voi instead of kykenee here?
You could use voi, but it would change the grammar to voi lukea since voida takes the basic infinitive. However, kykenee is a great choice here because it specifically emphasizes having the physical capability to overcome a hurdle. Osaa (knows how to) wouldn't fit, because his inability to read without the device isn't a lack of learned skill.
Why is the book in the partitive case (kirjaa) instead of kirjan?
Using the partitive kirjaa means the action of reading is ongoing, or that he is reading "some of a book." If you used the accusative kirjan, it would imply that he is capable of reading the entire book from start to finish as a completed action.
What are the parts of the compound word apuväline?
It is made up of apu (help, assistance) and väline (tool, instrument, or device). Together, they form the standard Finnish word for an assistive device or a physical aid.
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