Learn Hardcore Finnish: Haluan selittää sinulle ongelmani lisäksi myös uuden idean, johon tarvitsen apuasi. - I want to explain to you my problem in addition, as well as a new idea for which I need your help.

Lisäksi means “in addition” or “besides”. It signals that there is extra information coming later. In this sentence, it introduces the fact that besides explaining a problem, the speaker is also presenting a new idea.

Why is the verb selittää followed by sinulle instead of a different object form?

In Finnish, when you explain something, you indicate the recipient using the allative case. Sinulle (meaning “to you”) shows who is receiving the explanation. This word order, with the recipient coming right after the verb, is a common structure in Finnish.

What does ongelmani mean and how is it formed?

Ongelmani translates to “my problem”. It is formed by taking the noun ongelma (problem) and adding the possessive suffix -ni, which denotes first person singular (i.e., “my”). This compact form shows possession without requiring a separate possessive word.

How does the phrase ongelmani lisäksi myös uuden idean work to list two separate ideas?

This phrase lists two objects that the speaker wants to explain. First, ongelmani (my problem) is presented, and then uuden idean (a new idea) is introduced. The words lisäksi (“in addition”) and myös (“also”) work together to emphasize that both the problem and the idea are being addressed. The ordering reflects the speaker’s intent to include more than one item.

What is the purpose and structure of the relative clause johon tarvitsen apuasi in the sentence?

The relative clause johon tarvitsen apuasi provides extra information about uuden idean (the new idea). The relative pronoun johon means “to which”, linking the clause to the new idea. The clause explains that the speaker needs help—expressed in apuasi (“your help”, where the suffix -si indicates possession). This structure shows how additional, clarifying details are integrated into a sentence in Finnish.