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Lasku on kallis.

Lasku on kallis.
The bill is expensive.
FromLesson 7inHardcore Finnish

Breakdown of Lasku on kallis.

olla
to be
kallis
expensive
lasku
the bill

Questions & Answers about Lasku on kallis.

Why are there no articles in this sentence?
Finnish does not use articles like a or the. Nouns appear bare; context and other markers tell you whether something is definite or indefinite.
What case is lasku, and why is it in the nominative?
Lasku is in the nominative singular, which is used for the subject of a sentence. When a noun performs the action or is described by the copula, it stays in nominative.
Why isn’t kallis inflected any differently?
As a predicate adjective with the copula on, kallis matches the noun’s number and case. Since lasku is singular nominative, kallis stays in its base (nominative singular) form.
What is on in this sentence?
On is the 3rd person singular present tense of the verb olla (“to be”). It functions exactly like English is.
How do I negate this sentence?

Use the negative verb ei plus the main verb in its personal form:
• Lasku ei ole kallis. (“The bill is not expensive.”)

How do I ask “Is the bill expensive?” in Finnish?

Invert the copula and subject and add the question particle -ko to on:
• Onko lasku kallis?

What’s the difference between kallis lasku and lasku on kallis?

• Kallis lasku is an adjective-noun phrase: “an expensive bill.”
• Lasku on kallis is a full sentence stating “the bill is expensive.”

How do I say “bills are expensive”?

Make both noun and adjective plural:
• Laskut ovat kalliita.

How do I form the comparative of kallis?

The comparative is kalliimpi. For example:
• Lasku on kalliimpi kuin… (“The bill is more expensive than…”)

How do I say “very expensive”?

Add an intensifying adverb before kallis:
• Lasku on todella kallis.
• Lasku on erittäin kallis.

Are there synonyms for kallis?
Yes, you might also see hintava in more formal or written Finnish. Colloquially people say aika kallis (“quite expensive”) or tosi kallis (“really expensive”).
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