Basic Verbs

1. mennä

   To go

   Usage

   The key motion verb; combine it with a destination

   Grammar Note

   Infinitive; menen (I go) / menette (you go)

2. tulla

   To come

   Usage

   Used when a person or a vehicle arrives

   Grammar Note

   Infinitive; tulen / tulette

3. syödä

   To eat

   Usage

   The basic verb for anything about meals

   Grammar Note

   Infinitive; syön / syötte

4. juoda

   To drink

   Usage

   For ordering or declining drinks

   Grammar Note

   Infinitive; juon / juotte

5. ostaa

   To buy

   Usage

   Shopping verb; pair it with the item name

   Grammar Note

   Infinitive; ostan / ostatte

6. nähdä

   To see

   Usage

   For sightseeing, and for asking to be shown an item

   Grammar Note

   "Nähdä" is perceiving; "katsoa" is looking deliberately

7. odottaa

   To wait

   Usage

   For queues and for explaining a meeting arrangement

   Grammar Note

   The thing waited for goes in the partitive

8. Haluan mennä

   I want to go

   Usage

   The standard way to state a destination; add a place name

   Grammar Note

   Add a destination in the allative: "Haluan mennä asemalle"

9. Haluan syödä

   I want to eat

   Usage

   State what you feel like eating; add the dish name

10. Haluan tämän

    I want it

    Usage

    Point at an item and say you would like it

    Grammar Note

    Say it while pointing; "tämä" (this) takes the accusative form "tämän"

11. En tarvitse sitä

    I don't need it

    Usage

    Decline a bag, a receipt, or anything else you do not need

12. Etsin

    I'm looking for…

    Usage

    Say what you are trying to find, place or object

    Grammar Note

    Add the object in the partitive: "Etsin asemaa"

13. Minulla on se

    I have it

    Usage

    States possession; used to confirm tickets or bookings

    Grammar Note

    Possession is "minulla on" — literally "on me there is"

14. Minulla ei ole sitä

    I don't have it

    Usage

    States you do not have it, e.g. no cash on you

15. Haluan nostaa rahaa

    I'll withdraw money

    Usage

    State your intent at an ATM or a bank

    Grammar Note

    A cash machine is "pankkiautomaatti", often branded "Otto"

16. Haluan varata

    I'll make a reservation

    Usage

    For booking a table or a room

17. Voitteko auttaa minua?

    Could you help me?

    Usage

    Ask for concrete help: carrying a bag, working a machine

    Grammar Note

    The polite plural form; "Voitko auttaa?" with friends

18. Kertokaa minulle

    Please tell me

    Usage

    Prefaces a question when you want information

    Grammar Note

    The polite plural imperative

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