Valitettavasti tämä asu on minulle liian kallis.

From Lesson 339:Attitude adverbs·Finnish

Questions & Answers about Valitettavasti tämä asu on minulle liian kallis.

Why is valitettavasti placed at the very beginning of the sentence?
As a sentence-modifying adverb of attitude, valitettavasti sets the emotional tone for the entire statement. Placing it at the absolute beginning is the most natural way to frame the listener's expectations before they hear what the actual problem is.
Can I put valitettavasti somewhere else in the sentence?
Yes, you can place it after the verb, as in Tämä asu on valitettavasti minulle liian kallis. However, this shifts the emphasis. When put in the middle, the sentence becomes more about the outfit itself as the main topic, whereas putting the adverb first makes your regret the primary focus.
How does the word valitettavasti connect to other Finnish words I might know?
It is built from the verb valittaa, which means to complain or lament. By turning it into the passive present participle valitettava (regrettable), and then adding the adverb suffix -sti, you get valitettavasti, meaning regrettably or unfortunately.
Why use the allative case minulle here instead of minun mielestäni?
While minun mielestäni means in my opinion, using minulle (to me or for me) highlights a personal limitation rather than just a subjective thought. It means the price is a barrier specifically for your budget, even if the outfit might be objectively priced fairly for what it is.

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