Minulla on uusi koira nyt.

I have a new dog now.

Breakdown of Minulla on uusi koira nyt.

• minä: I
• nyt: now
• koira: the dog
• uusi: new

Questions & Answers about Minulla on uusi koira nyt.

Why do we say Minulla on instead of Minä olen to express “I have”?

Finnish typically uses a structure with the adessive case (-lla/-llä) on the person plus the verb olla (“to be”) to indicate possession. So Minulla on literally translates to “On me is,” which corresponds to “I have” in English. Using Minä olen would mean “I am,” which doesn’t show possession.

Why is the adjective uusi in this form and not something else?

The adjective uusi is in its base (nominative) singular form because it’s describing a single, countable noun (koira, “dog”). If it were plural, it would change to uudet (for example, Minulla on uudet koirat = “I have new dogs”).

Is the word order Minulla on uusi koira nyt flexible in Finnish?

Yes. Finnish word order can be changed to emphasize different parts of the sentence. For example, Nyt minulla on uusi koira highlights “now.” The basic meaning remains the same, but different word orders can slightly shift the emphasis.

How should I pronounce the double u in uusi?

Make sure to hold the u sound a bit longer than a single u. It’s like pronouncing “oo” in English “moon,” but you prolong it to create two distinct vowel sounds in a row.

Can I omit nyt to say simply Minulla on uusi koira?

Yes. Nyt (“now”) is not mandatory. If you include it, you emphasize that you currently have a new dog. Without nyt, the sentence still states that you have a new dog, just without the extra emphasis on “now.”