Learn Hardcore Finnish: Minulla on kolme euroa.

In Finnish, possession is shown with the verb olla (“to be”) plus the adessive case, not by saying “I am.” Minulla on literally means “at me is.” You wouldn’t use Minä olen (“I am”) to mean “I have.”

What case is minulla, and why is it used here?

Minulla is the adessive case (marked by -lla) of minä (“I”). In the possessive construction with olla, the owner or possessor always appears in the adessive case to indicate “at X.”

Why is the verb on singular even though there are three euros (which is plural)?

In this existential/possessive structure, olla always takes the 3rd person singular form (on), regardless of how many items you have. It functions like “there is/are (at me).”

Why is euroa in the partitive case instead of the nominative plural eurot?

After numerals greater than one, Finnish typically uses the partitive singular of the counted noun. So “three euros” becomes kolme euroa, where euroa is the partitive singular form.

How do you say “I don’t have three euros” in Finnish?

You say Minulla ei ole kolmea euroa. In negative sentences, the verb is negated with ei, and the numeral kolme also takes the partitive form kolmea.

How would you ask someone “Do you have three euros?” in Finnish?

You would say Onko sinulla kolme euroa? Here onko is the question form of on, and sinulla is the adessive case of sinä (“you”).

Can I use a more colloquial form of Minulla on?

Yes. In everyday speech, Finns often say Mulla on kolme euroa. This is informal (spoken register) and should be avoided in formal writing.

Can I change the word order of this sentence?

Absolutely. Finnish word order is flexible. For emphasis you might say Kolme euroa minulla on (“Three euros I have”) or even start with the verb: On minulla kolme euroa. The core structure (adessive + on + thing) remains the same.