Learn Hardcore Finnish: Puolisoni haluaa uuden pesukoneen, koska nykyinen on jo vanha. - My spouse wants a new washing machine because the current one is already old.

puolisoni means “my spouse.” It comes from the noun puoliso (“spouse”) plus the possessive suffix -ni (“my”). In Finnish, possession is often shown by adding suffixes to the noun rather than using a separate word for “my.”

Why is uuden pesukoneen in the accusative case?

Because it is the direct object of the verb haluaa (“wants”). In Finnish, a definite, whole object (one specific washing machine) takes the accusative, which for singular nouns typically ends in -n (identical to the genitive form).

How do I know when to use the accusative vs. the partitive for objects?

Use the accusative for complete, bounded objects (when you want or receive the entire item) and the partitive for incomplete actions, unspecified amounts, or continuous processes. Here the speaker wants the entire new washing machine, so it’s accusative.

Why is nykyinen not inflected like uuden?

In the subordinate clause nykyinen on jo vanha, nykyinen is the subject (“the current one”), so it remains in the nominative case. Adjectives that serve as predicate complements (like vanha) also stay in nominative.

What role does koska play and does it change the word order?

koska means “because” and introduces a subordinate clause. Finnish subordinate clauses generally keep the same SVO order as main clauses. Thus you get nykyinen (subject) on (verb) jo vanha (predicate).

What nuance does jo add in this sentence?

jo means “already.” It emphasizes that the current washing machine has been old for some time and is still old now, reinforcing the reason for wanting a new one.

Why are there no articles like “a” or “the” in this sentence?

Finnish has no articles. Definiteness or indefiniteness is understood from context, word order, or additional words (like demonstratives). Here context tells us we’re talking about a specific (“new”) washing machine and the current one.

Can I change the word order to haluaa puolisoni uuden pesukoneen?

Technically yes, Finnish allows flexibility, but the neutral order is Subject–Verb–Object: Puolisoni haluaa uuden pesukoneen. Moving elements can add emphasis or a poetic feel but might sound marked in everyday speech.

Why is the adjective uuden inflected differently than vanha?

uuden is the accusative/genitive form of uusi because it modifies an accusative object (pesukoneen). vanha appears in the predicate of a nominative subject, so it stays in its basic nominative form.