Ajatelkaa

Ajatelkaa is a Finnish verb, serving as the second-person plural imperative form of ajatella, which means "to think" or "to consider." It is used to address a group and urge them to reflect on a topic, decision, or action. The form is commonly encountered in speeches, guidelines, editorial writing, and instructional contexts where collective responsibility or caution is emphasized.

Formation and usage notes: the imperative plural is formed by taking the stem ajattele- and adding the suffix -kaa, yielding ajatelkaa. The singular imperative corresponding to two forms is ajattele!, used to address a single person. Ajatelkaa signals a directive or invitation to collectively think about something rather than a simple command.

Examples:

- Ajatelkaa tätä ennen kuin teette päätöksen. (Think about this before you make a decision.)

- Ajatelkaa, miten toimintanne vaikuttaa muihin. (Consider how your actions affect others.)

Linguistic context: Ajatelkaa is a standard, neutral imperative form in Finnish and can appear in both formal and informal registers, depending on the broader context and accompanying language. It reflects Finnish communicative patterns that frequently use imperative mood to prompt reflection, evaluation, or cautious behavior in groups.