Tarvitsen voidetta, koska iho on kuiva.

I

Breakdown of Tarvitsen voidetta, koska iho on kuiva.

• olla: to be
• tarvita: to need
• koska: because

Questions & Answers about Tarvitsen voidetta, koska iho on kuiva.

Why is it tarvitsen and not just tarvita?

Tarvita is the basic dictionary form, meaning to need.

In the sentence, the verb is conjugated for I, so it becomes tarvitsen = I need.

A quick breakdown:

• tarvita = to need
• tarvitsen = I need
• tarvitset = you need
• tarvitsee = he/she/it needs

The ending -n is the usual first person singular ending in Finnish.

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Why is there no separate word for I?

In Finnish, the subject pronoun is often left out when the verb ending already makes the person clear.

So:

• Tarvitsen already means I need
• Minä tarvitsen also means I need, but minä is optional here

Using minä can add emphasis, contrast, or clarity, but in ordinary sentences it is often omitted.

So this sentence could also be:

• Minä tarvitsen voidetta, koska iho on kuiva.

But the version without minä is very natural.

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Why is it voidetta instead of voide?