Finnish sentence

Francesca Forza

Posts: 3

Hi all!

I am writing because I need someone that is good at Finnish - and I am not. However, I have an example that I really need to insert in a work of mine for the reduplication it contains, since I am a Linguist. I know the general meaning but not the grammar details.

The example is the following.

Menetkö kotiin vai kotiinkotiin

and I know that the translation is

'Are you going home or home-home?'

But I have to find out what each word is. For example, is "Menetkö" inflected for number, tense, aspect, or similar? and -in is some kind of case... which case? is vai uninflectional?

Thanks to any of you that endeavors in this boring stuff.

best,

Muriel

Chris Thompson
Tartu, EE

Native language:
English (United Kingdom)

Posts: 29

Hi Muriel,

"Metetkö" is "Menet", the 2nd person singular of the present tense (active) of the verb mennä (to go), plus the interrogative suffix "kö" which makes it a question.

"Kotiin" is the illative singular of the word "koti" (home), and means "to home".

"vai" does not inflect.

Hope this helps. If you have any questions, just let me know.

Best regards,
Chris

Francesca Forza

Posts: 3

Dear Chris,

this is much more helpful than I had hoped, and so quickly. I appreciate your very detailed explanation.

Just to annoy you a little bit more: I think, then, that koti by itself would be nominative singular...?

This sounds like a wonderful language, I wish I had time to study it.

Thanks again,

Muriel

Chris Thompson
Tartu, EE

Native language:
English (United Kingdom)

Posts: 29

Hi Muriel,

Glad to be of help.

Yes, koti is the nominative singular.

Best wishes,
Chris

Francesca Forza

Posts: 3

Really perfect.

Many thanks, again!

Muriel