-minen (4. infinitiivi)

Fourth Infinitive

Level 5

The Fourth Infinitive (-minen) is used with the verb olla to express that something must be done, is worth doing, or is possible to do. While the general pattern is formal or archaic, several specific idioms remain common in modern Finnish.

How It Works

The Fourth Infinitive uses the suffix -minen, which is also used for the verbal noun. In this specific construction, it functions as an infinitive to express necessity or objective possibility.

1. Meaning and Nuance
This construction carries two main nuances:

  • Objective Necessity: Stating that something must be done as a matter of duty, natural law, or logic (e.g., on uskominen - 'is to be believed').
  • Possibility or Permissibility: Especially in the negative, it indicates whether an action is possible or allowed (e.g., ei ole menemistä - 'one cannot/should not go').

2. Formation

  • Take the strong vowel stem of the verb.
  • Add the suffix -minen in the nominative case for affirmative sentences (e.g., on tekeminen).
  • Add the suffix -mistä in the partitive case for negative sentences (e.g., ei ole tekemistä).
  • Use the 3rd person singular of olla (on or ei ole).

3. Syntax
The person who must perform the action is in the genitive case, similar to täytyy. Crucially, the total object of the action is in the nominative case (e.g., Minun on se tekeminen - 'I must do it'), following the same exception as other necessive verbs.

4. Register and Modern Usage
While the general productive use of this form is archaic and found in proverbs or legal texts, specific idiomatic expressions remain. Note that in modern spoken Finnish, the phrase ei ole tekemistä is highly polysemous and typically refers to boredom ('having nothing to do') rather than the formal necessive meaning ('it is not to be done').

Examples (4)

  1. Sitä on uskominen.

    It is to be believed.

    Word by Word: It is believing.

    A common modern idiom expressing that something is credible or must be accepted as true.

  2. Sinne ei ole menemistä.

    One should not go there / It is not possible to go there.

    Word by Word: To-there not is going.

    A modern idiomatic use of the negative fourth infinitive to express that an action is forbidden or impossible.

  3. Työ on tekeminen.

    Work is to be done.

    Word by Word: Work is doing.

    A proverbial expression stating that work inherently requires being performed.

  4. Minun on se tekeminen.

    I must do it / It is for me to do it.

    Word by Word: Of-me is it doing.

    Shows the use of a genitive subject (minun) to indicate who is obligated to act.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the Fourth Infinitive for everyday obligations.

    Minun on kauppaan meneminen.
    Minun täytyy mennä kauppaan.

    The Fourth Infinitive sounds biblical or proverbial. For daily tasks like going to the store, use 'täytyy' or 'pitää'.

  • Taking the noun 'tekeminen' for the necessive form.

    Different MeaningTyön tekeminen on tärkeää.
    Sinun on nyt lähteminen.

    'Työn tekeminen on tärkeää' is a correct sentence: 'tekeminen' is a noun meaning 'the doing'. The necessive Fourth Infinitive is different: a genitive says who must act, and the -minen word follows 'on'. 'Sinun on nyt lähteminen' means 'You must leave now.' It is rare and old-fashioned.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

-minen (4. infinitiivi)Level 5Fourth Infinitive

Learn This First

To understand the archaic fourth infinitive necessive (e.g., 'on tekeminen'), you first need to know how to form the -minen verbal noun. You also need to understand the basic 'olla' verb structure where a noun or verbal noun acts as a predicate to express a state or necessity.

Words in This Pattern

-minen