probably (is, does) · наверно, должно быть
Anna taitaa olla kotona.Anna’s probably at home.
A verb, not an adverb: taidan, taidat, taitaa, and the next verb stays in the basic form. Negative: ei taida.
Concept
How sure are you?
Finnish grades certainty on one scale: ehkä (maybe), varmaan or taitaa (probably), varmasti (surely), taatusti (guaranteed). Taitaa is a verb, not an adverb: it takes the person ending, and the next verb stays in the basic form (Anna taitaa olla kotona).
Model
The model
maybe
ehkäMaybe.
probably
varmaanProbably.
taitaaProbably, as a verb.
surely
varmastiSurely.
guaranteed
taatustiGuaranteed.
Taught in Kirjeen sanat.
Units
Words and constructions
definitely, for sure · точно, наверняка, гарантированно
Tulen taatusti!I’ll definitely come!
From taata, to guarantee. The top of the scale: ehkä, taitaa, varmasti, taatusti.
maybe
Hän tulee ehkä.Maybe he’ll come.
The bottom of the scale: ehkä, varmaan, varmasti, taatusti.
probably
Hän tulee varmaan.He’ll probably come.
Probably, taitaa’s adverb twin. It looks sure, but it isn’t: certain is varmasti.
surely, certainly
Tulen varmasti juhliin!I’ll definitely come to the party!
Certain. Not to be confused with varmaan, probably.
Watch out
Traps
- Varmaan looks sure, but it means probably. Certain is varmasti.
- Taitaa is a verb: Anna taitaa olla kotona, never taitaa on. Negative: ei taida.
Retrieval
Practice
Every item from every lesson that practises this concept, spaced like the rest of your reviews.
7 sentences across every lesson.
Spacing
Coming back
Do a practice round today, then come back in two days. Missed items return first.