Breakdown of Legenda kertoo, että langenneet muka palaavat.
palata
to return
kertoa
to tell
että
that (conjunction)
muka
supposedly
langeta
to fall (abstract, to succumb, into a trap)
legenda
legend
Questions & Answers about Legenda kertoo, että langenneet muka palaavat.
How is langenneet functioning as a noun in this sentence?
Langenneet is the active past participle (the NUT-participle) of the verb langeta (to fall). Instead of describing a noun, it is used entirely on its own to mean 'the ones who have fallen.' This is called substantivization. Here, it is in the plural nominative form, acting as the subject of the clause.
How do we form langenneet from the dictionary form langeta?
Langeta is a Type 6 verb. To form the plural past active participle, you replace the infinitive ending -ta with -neet. Like the infinitive, this form uses the weak consonant grade ng, contrasting with the strong nk you see in forms like the present tense lankeaa (falls).
What nuance does the particle muka add here?
Muka is a common particle used to express doubt, disbelief, or irony. It translates well to 'supposedly,' 'allegedly,' or 'as if.' In this sentence, it implies that the idea of the fallen returning is a dubious claim that the speaker does not necessarily believe.
Why is the verb palaavat in the plural form?
Palaavat (from palata, to return) is in the third-person plural because its subject is langenneet. Because the substantivized participle acts as a fully-fledged plural noun ('the fallen ones'), the main verb must agree with it, just as it would with any regular plural noun.
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