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Questions & Answers about Missä kassa on?
Why does the sentence start with Missä?
In Finnish wh-questions, the interrogative word (here Missä, “where”) typically appears in the first position. This signals that the sentence is a question about location.
What does on mean here?
On is the 3rd person singular form of the verb olla (“to be”). So Missä kassa on? literally means “Where is the cash register?” or “Where is the checkout?”
Why is on at the end of the sentence?
Finnish has a relatively free word order. While SVO (Subject-Verb-Object) is common, placing the verb at the end after focus or question words is also natural, especially in colloquial speech.
Why is kassa in the nominative case?
After the copula on, the predicate noun remains in the nominative case. There is no separate object here; kassa functions as the nominal predicate.
Where is the subject in this sentence?
Finnish often drops the subject pronoun when it’s clear from the verb ending. The 3rd person singular on implies se (“it”). So an implied “it” stands for “the cashier/register.”
Why is there no “a” or “the” before kassa?
Finnish does not use articles like “a” or “the.” Kassa can mean “a cashier/cash register” or “the cashier/register” based on context alone.
Can I also say Missä on kassa?
Yes. Missä on kassa? is slightly more common and literally “Where is the cashier/register?” Both word orders are correct and interchangeable.
Can kassa mean both the person and the counter?
Yes. Kassa can refer to the cashier (person) or the checkout/cash desk. Context usually tells you which one is meant.
How would I answer this question?
You can respond with a location in a simple sentence, for example:
– Kassa on tuolla, “The register is over there.”
– Se on vasemmalla, “It’s on the left.”
– Kassa on takana, “The checkout is at the back.”
Are there other ways to ask “Where is the cashier?”
Yes, you can use synonyms or add specificity:
– Missä on kassapiste? (“Where is the checkout point?”)
– Mistä löydän kassan? (“Where can I find the register?”)
– Missä on tämän kaupan kassa? (“Where is this store’s checkout?””)