Pystyä

Pystyä is a Finnish verb meaning “to be able to” or “to be capable of.” It functions as a modal auxiliary that expresses ability or possibility, often in contexts where the speaker assesses whether a task is feasible. It is used across tenses with standard Finnish endings and can express both present ability and past experiences of ability.

Conjugation is regular for a modal verb. In the present tense: minä pystyn, sinä pystyt, hän pystyy, me pystymme, te pystytte, he pystyvät. The past tense forms are: minä pystyin, sinä pystyit, hän pystyi, me pystyimme, te pystyitte, he pystyivät. The negative forms are: en pysty, et pysty, ei pysty, emme pysty, ette pysty, eivät pysty.

Usage with other verbs: When pystyä governs another verb, the following verb is typically in the third infinitive form (the -maan/-mään form). Examples: “Minä pystyn puhumaan suomea.” (I can speak Finnish.) “Pystyin lukemaan kirjan loppuun.” (I managed to read the book to the end.) “Pystymme auttamaan sinua.” (We can help you.)

Nuances: Pystyä expresses real ability under appropriate conditions and is not the same as voiva or may. It is also distinct from osata, which means to know how to do something or to have learned a particular skill. Pystyä can be used across tenses and in negative constructions to indicate temporary or conditional capability.