Sinun täytyy muistaa sulkea ovi, kun lähdet.

you

Breakdown of Sinun täytyy muistaa sulkea ovi, kun lähdet.

• sulkea: to close
• kun: when
• ovi: the door
• muistaa: to remember
• täytyä: to have to
• sinun: your
• lähteä: to leave

Questions & Answers about Sinun täytyy muistaa sulkea ovi, kun lähdet.

What does sinun mean in this sentence, and why is it used instead of sinä?

Sinun is the possessive form of sinä (meaning “you”). It emphasizes that the obligation applies specifically to the person addressed (“your duty”) rather than being an impersonal statement. In Finnish, using the possessive form can help clarify who needs to perform the action.

What role does täytyy play in the sentence, and how does it function?

Täytyy is a modal verb that expresses necessity or obligation—similar to the English “must” or “have to.” In this sentence, it indicates that the listener is required to remember to close the door. It sets up the idea that the action is not optional but mandatory.

Why is the infinitive form sulkea used after muistaa?

In Finnish, when one verb follows another to describe an intended action, the second verb is typically in the infinitive form. Here, muistaa (“to remember”) is followed by sulkea (“to close”), which specifies what should be remembered. This construction is similar to the English “remember to close the door,” where the action remains in the infinitive.

How does the subordinate clause kun lähdet function in the sentence?

Kun lähdet is a subordinate clause that specifies the time when the main action should occur. The word kun translates to “when,” and lähdet (from the verb lähteä) means “you leave.” Together, they indicate that the door should be closed at the moment the person is leaving.

Why is there no explicit subject stated in lähdet, and how do we know that it refers to “you”?

Finnish often omits the subject when it is clear from the verb conjugation. In lähdet, the ending implies the second person singular (“you”), making it unnecessary to repeat the subject. This conciseness is common in Finnish, where the verb form carries enough information to identify the subject.