Learn Hardcore Finnish: Nainen laulaa ulkona.

Finnish does not have definite or indefinite articles. Nouns appear without a or the, and context tells you whether something is specific or general. So nainen can mean “a woman” or “the woman” depending on the situation.

What case and number is nainen in?

Nainen is in the nominative singular. The nominative is the basic form of a noun and is used for the subject of a sentence.

Is laulaa an infinitive or a conjugated verb form?

Here laulaa is the 3rd person singular present tense of the verb laulaa (to sing).
• As an infinitive it also looks the same, but when you see it with a clear subject like nainen, you know it means “sings.”

How does Finnish show “sings” without adding -s like in English?

In Finnish, person and number are marked by the verb ending. For the 3rd person singular (he/she/it) present tense, you simply use the stem plus -a/-ä. Thus:
• Stem: laula-
• Ending: -a
→ laulaa = he/she sings.

What part of speech is ulkona, and what does it mean?

is a locative adverb meaning “outside” or “outdoors.” It’s not a case form of a noun but a fixed adverb used to tell where something happens.