The Finnish A-infinitive

The official name of what I normally just call the basic form of a verb is the basic form of the A-infinitive. After reading this post you'll know that there is also a translative form of the A-infinitive. I also have a post about the MA-infinitive and the E-infinitive.

Verb in a conjugated form + A-infinitive

In these examples, the first verb is conjugated according to the person, and the second one is in A-infinitive:

• osata: Osaatko uida? - Can you swim? Do you know how to swim? 
• saada: En saa uida, koska olen sairas. - I'm not allowed to swim, because I'm sick.
• voida: En voi uida, koska minulla ei ole uimapukua. - I can't swim, because I don't have a swimming suit.
• jaksaa: Jaksatko uida tuohon saareen? - Do you have the energy to swim to that island?
• tarjeta: Kuinka sinä tarkenet uida noin kylmässä vedessä? - How can you stand the cold when swimming in such a cold water?
• haluta: Haluan uida! - I want to swim! 
• tykätä: Tykkäätkö uida yksin vai muiden kanssa? - Do you like to swim alone or with the others?

A-infinitive in translative

The translative form of the A-infinitive is used to replace a subclause that starts with the conjunction jotta, which means so that or in order to. Normally the translative ending is ksi, but with this particular verb construction it is kse.

• Tulin kurssille oppiakseni suomea. = Tulin kurssille, jotta oppisin suomea. - I came to the course in order to / so that I would learn Finnish.
• Hän lähti jo kotiin mennäkseen aikaisin nukkumaan. = Hän lähti jo kotiin, jotta hän voisi mennä aikaisin nukkumaan. - He left for home already in order to / so that he would go to sleep early.

Remember the correct possessive suffix:

• oppiakseni - in order for me to learn
• oppiaksesi - in order for you to learn
• oppiakseen or oppiaksensa - in order for him / her to learn
• oppiaksemme - in order for us to learn
• oppiaksenne - in order for you (plural) to learn
• oppiakseen or oppiaksensa - in order for them to learn

As far as ___  

This form isn't very common in spoken language, and usually I'd just use the jotta sentence. However, there are a couple of expressions with the translative structure that are common also in spoken language. Notice how the meaning is a bit different:

• Mun muistaakseni juna lähtee neljältä. - As far as I remember, the train leaves at four o'clock.
• Mun tietääkseni se on naimisissa. - As far as I know, she's married.
• Mun ymmärtääkseni kokous on peruttu. - If I understand correctly, they've cancelled the meeting.

About the author of Random Finnish Lesson: 

My name is Hanna Männikkölahti. I am a professional Finnish teacher who gives private online lessons and simplifies books into easy Finnish. Follow this blog, if you want to be the first one to know when I post something new.  If you want to subscribe to my newsletter, you can do it here.