Learn Finnish: Tämä pulma osoittautui vaikeaksi. - This puzzle turned out to be difficult.

The verb osoittautua (to turn out to be) describes an outcome or a state that becomes apparent. In Finnish, verbs expressing a final outcome or a resulting role require their modifying adjective or noun to be in the translative case, which ends in -ksi.

Does the verb osoittautua have anything to do with osoittaa (to show or point)?

Yes! Osoittautua is formed from osoittaa using the reflexive suffix -utua. While osoittaa means to show or point at something, osoittautua literally means to show itself or reveal itself. This is how it gets the meaning of turning out to be something.

What is the difference between pulma and the more common word ongelma?

While both can be translated as problem, pulma usually refers to a tricky puzzle, a dilemma, or a specific snag that requires clever solving. Ongelma is a broader and more general word for an issue or problem.

Is there a way to say this using a standard "that" clause instead of the translative case?

Yes, you can use a subordinate clause with että. You could say Osoittautui, että tämä pulma oli vaikea (It turned out that this puzzle was difficult). However, the structure using the translative case is more concise and very natural in Finnish.