Breakdown of Hänen harrastuksensa on piirtäminen, ei pelaaminen.
olla
to be
ei
not
pelaaminen
the playing
harrastus
the hobby
Questions & Answers about Hänen harrastuksensa on piirtäminen, ei pelaaminen.
Why do we have both Hänen and the possessive suffix in harrastuksensa?
In standard Finnish, a third‑person possessor is typically shown twice: with the genitive pronoun (hänen) and with the 3rd‑person possessive suffix -nsa/-nsä on the noun: hänen harrastuksensa “his/her hobby.” Using only the pronoun without the suffix (e.g., hänen harrastus) is colloquial and not standard in writing. You can, however, drop the pronoun if the owner is clear and keep only the suffix: Harrastuksensa on piirtäminen (context needed).
What exactly is going on inside the word harrastuksensa?
- Base noun: harrastus “hobby.”
- Many case/suffix forms use the “genitive stem,” which for -us words is harrastukse- (cf. genitive harrastuksen).
- Add the 3rd‑person possessive suffix -nsa/-nsä to that stem → harrastuksensa “his/her hobby.”
Could I just say Hänen harrastus on piirtäminen?
That’s common in informal speech, but it’s not standard. In neutral/standard Finnish you should say Hänen harrastuksensa on piirtäminen. If you want to avoid the pronoun, use the suffix alone with a person you’ve already mentioned: Harrastuksensa on piirtäminen.
Why is it -nsa and not -nsä in harrastuksensa?