laskea

§ What does laskea mean?

The Finnish verb laskea is a versatile word with two primary meanings: to count and to lower or to drop. It's an A2-level word, which means it's pretty common, and you'll hear it a lot in everyday conversations. Understanding how to use it in both contexts is super important for anyone learning Finnish.

§ Laskea as 'to count'

When laskea means 'to count', it works much like its English equivalent. You use it when you're tallying numbers, doing math, or just counting items. Think about counting money, counting people, or counting how many days are left until your holiday.

DEFINITION

To determine the total number of a group of items or people.

Here are some common situations where you'd use laskea for counting:

• When you're counting numbers in order: Lasken yksi, kaksi, kolme... (I count one, two, three...)
• When you're counting specific objects: Voitko laskea, monta tuolia täällä on? (Can you count how many chairs are here?)
• When you're doing simple arithmetic: Lapset oppivat laskemaan. (Children are learning to count/do arithmetic.)

§ Laskea as 'to lower' or 'to drop'

The second main meaning of laskea is 'to lower' or 'to drop'. This implies movement downwards. It can be used for physical objects, but also for more abstract concepts like lowering prices or reducing speed. This meaning is also very common and you'll encounter it frequently.

DEFINITION

To move something to a lower position; to cause something to go down.

Here are some typical scenarios where laskea means 'to lower' or 'to drop':

• When you're lowering an object: Lasken laukun lattialle. (I lower the bag to the floor.)
• When a price decreases: Hinnat laskivat. (The prices dropped.)
• When you're letting someone off somewhere: Voitko laskea minut tässä? (Can you drop me off here?)
• When the sun sets: Aurinko laskee. (The sun sets/lowers.)

§ Summary of Laskea

So, laskea is one of those great Finnish verbs that pulls double duty. Whether you're counting sheep to fall asleep or lowering a flag, this word has got you covered. Practice these different uses, and you'll sound much more natural when speaking Finnish. Keep an eye out for it in texts and conversations, and try to identify which meaning is being used. You'll get the hang of it!

Welcome back! Today we're tackling laskea, a Finnish verb that means both 'to count' and 'to lower'. Yes, it's one word with two main meanings, which can seem tricky at first. But don't worry, the context usually makes it clear which meaning is being used. Let's break it down.

§ Laskea as 'to count'

When laskea means 'to count', it's pretty straightforward. You're tallying numbers or items. It often takes a direct object in the partitive case if you're counting a quantity of something, or the genitive case if you're counting specific things.

DEFINITION

To determine the total number of something.

Can you count the money? (rahat is plural, so it's in the partitive plural here)

I count sheep when going to sleep. (lampaita is partitive plural)

§ Laskea as 'to lower'

When laskea means 'to lower', it implies moving something downwards. This can be literal, like lowering an object, or more figurative, like lowering a price or a volume. It often takes a direct object, usually in the partitive case when referring to an action that affects a part of something or a state change.

DEFINITION

To move something to a lower position or decrease its level.

Can you lower the volume? (ääntä is partitive singular)

We lowered the boat into the water. (veneen is genitive/accusative here as it's the whole boat, and veteen is illative, indicating movement into)

He/She lowers the curtain down. (verhoa is partitive singular)

§ Common phrases and prepositions

• Laskea pää (to lower one's head): A common phrase meaning to drop or bow one's head.
• Laskea leikkiä (to joke/kid around): This is an idiomatic expression. The meaning completely shifts here!
• Laskea jokin alas (to lower something down): Emphasizes the downward motion.
• Laskea jostakin (to come down from somewhere / to count from something): Depends on context.
• Laskea jonkin päälle (to land on something): Again, context is key.

He/She lowered their head in shame. (päänsä is the possessive form of pää, in partitive case.)

Don't joke at my expense. (leikkiä is partitive singular)

§ Context is everything

As you can see, laskea is one of those versatile Finnish verbs. The key to understanding which meaning is intended is to look at the context and the words it's paired with. Usually, if you're talking about numbers, it's 'to count'. If you're talking about moving something down, it's 'to lower'. And then there are those handy idiomatic expressions to learn!

Keep practicing these examples, and try to make your own. The more you use laskea in different contexts, the more natural it will become. Onwards and upwards (or downwards, as the case may be)!

§ Similar words and when to use this one vs alternatives

The Finnish verb 'laskea' is a handy one, but it can be a bit tricky because it has a few meanings: to count and to lower/decrease. This means you need to pay attention to the context. Let's look at when to use 'laskea' and what other words might be better in specific situations.

§ 'Laskea' as 'to count'

When 'laskea' means 'to count', it's generally straightforward. You use it when you're enumerating things, numbers, or even people. It's the most common verb for this action.

DEFINITION

To count, to do arithmetic

§ 'Laskea' as 'to lower' or 'to decrease'

This is where 'laskea' gets more nuanced. It can mean to physically lower something, to decrease a quantity, or to let something down. It implies a downward movement or reduction.

DEFINITION

To lower, to decrease, to let down

§ Alternatives for 'to lower' or 'to decrease'

While 'laskea' is versatile, other verbs can convey similar ideas with more precision depending on the context.

• 'Alentaa' (to reduce, to lower prices/standards): This word is very common when talking about reducing prices, making something less expensive, or lowering standards. It often implies a deliberate action of reduction, especially in a financial or qualitative sense.

• 'Pienentää' (to make smaller, to decrease size/amount): This verb focuses on making something physically smaller or reducing an amount.

• 'Vähentää' (to lessen, to reduce quantity/number): This is a very common word for reducing the quantity or number of something, or making something less intense.

• 'Kaataa' (to pour, to fell a tree): While not a direct synonym, 'kaataa' can sometimes be used when you're thinking about lowering something like liquid or felling something to the ground, though 'laskea' might also work.