Shortened Words

[Alejandro21]

In Finnish, I've noticed that there are some verbs that are spoken differently in informal situations, such as "Haluu" instead of another form of "haluta". Non of the websites that I normally go to explain the meaning of words like this. What is the literal translation of it, as in the song "Haluu Sitä Miestä"? Are their words in Finnish that are similar to this in the sense that they have shortened forms?

Also, How common is it in spoken Finnish for "se" so be used as a definite article like "the" in English, and "yks" so be used as an indefinite article, like "a" and "an" in English?

[jahasjahas]

In Finnish, I've noticed that there are some verbs that are spoken differently in informal situations, such as "Haluu" instead of another form of "haluta". Non of the websites that I normally go to explain the meaning of words like this. What is the literal translation of it, as in the song "Haluu Sitä Miestä"?

"Haluu" is the spoken language form of either haluaa ("he/she/it wants") or halua (imperative, "want!"). In that song it means the latter ("if you want that man, hug that man... if you want that man, want that man..." )

Are their words in Finnish that are similar to this in the sense that they have shortened forms?

Short answer: yes.

There's a book called Kato hei! - Puhekielen alkeet by Maarit Berg and Leena Silfverberg which describes the spoken language in the Helsinki area. (Which in practice can be seen as the "general" spoken language in Finland.) Not the slang, but how the forms are shortened and how sentences are structured, etc. Lots of pretty authentic-sounding dialog. It's meant for language learners but written in Finnish, so whether it's useful for you depends on your skill level.

Also, How common is it in spoken Finnish for "se" so be used as a definite article like "the" in English, and "yks" so be used as an indefinite article, like "a" and "an" in English?

It can happen, but is by no means necessary.

[kalmisto]

Also, How common is it in spoken Finnish for "se" so be used as a definite article like "the" in English, and "yks" so be used as an indefinite article, like "a" and "an" in English?

It is quite common.

"Minne se kissa meni ?" ( Where did the cat go ? )

[Pursuivant]

Tä? Mitää lyhetä kele!
;D

[Alejandro21]

In Finnish, I've noticed that there are some verbs that are spoken differently in informal situations, such as "Haluu" instead of another form of "haluta". Non of the websites that I normally go to explain the meaning of words like this. What is the literal translation of it, as in the song "Haluu Sitä Miestä"?

"Haluu" is the spoken language form of either haluaa ("he/she/it wants") or halua (imperative, "want!"). In that song it means the latter ("if you want that man, hug that man... if you want that man, want that man..." )

Are their words in Finnish that are similar to this in the sense that they have shortened forms?

Short answer: yes.

There's a book called Kato hei! - Puhekielen alkeet by Maarit Berg and Leena Silfverberg which describes the spoken language in the Helsinki area. (Which in practice can be seen as the "general" spoken language in Finland.) Not the slang, but how the forms are shortened and how sentences are structured, etc. Lots of pretty authentic-sounding dialog. It's meant for language learners but written in Finnish, so whether it's useful for you depends on your skill level.

Also, How common is it in spoken Finnish for "se" so be used as a definite article like "the" in English, and "yks" so be used as an indefinite article, like "a" and "an" in English?

It can happen, but is by no means necessary.

Ohh I see, I'll look into that book. Thanks!