Minulla on veli.

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Breakdown of Minulla on veli.

• veli: the brother

Questions & Answers about Minulla on veli.

Why is minulla used instead of minä in this sentence?

Finnish doesn’t have a standalone verb “to have”. Instead you say “olla” (to be) plus the possessor in the adessive case (–lla/–llä). So minulla is minä in adessive, literally “at me” or “on me.” The literal structure is “On me is [something].”

What does the adessive case –lla/–llä on minulla literally express?

Adessive marks location “on” or “at.” When used with olla, it creates a possession construction.
• Minulla on = “On me is …” = “I have …”

Why do we use on instead of a Finnish verb meaning “have”?

Finnish lacks a direct equivalent of English “to have.” Possession is shown with the existential verb olla (“to be”) plus the possessor in adessive:  • Minulla on auto = “I have a car.”
 • Sinulla on koira = “You have a dog.”

What is the literal, word-for-word translation of Minulla on veli?

On me is brother.

What case is in, and why isn’t there a possessive suffix (like )?