Haluaisivat

Haluaisivat is a Finnish verb form that expresses a hypothetical or polite desire. It is the third-person plural conditional form of the verb haluta, meaning “to want.” The form is often translated as “they would like” and is used when referring to a group or when the subject is understood from context. The corresponding second-person plural form is haluaisitte, and the singular forms are haluaisin, haluaisit, and haluaisi.

Grammatical notes about haluaisivat include that it functions in the conditional mood, signaling something that is not currently happening but would happen under certain conditions or as a hypothetical preference. In everyday Finnish, it is common to use haluaisivat in questions or indirect requests to sound courteous, for example when proposing options or inviting someone to choose.

Usage examples:

- Haluaisivatko he kahvia? “Would they like coffee?”

- He haluaisivat lisätietoja. “They would like more information.”

- Haluaisivatko te lähteä nyt? “Would you (plural) like to go now?”

Haluaisivat is distinct from haluavat (“they want”) in that the former indicates a conditional or aspirational sense rather than a current, definite desire. It can appear in subordinate clauses or in main clauses when presenting a polite suggestion. For learners, distinguishing haluaisivat from the present tense forms helps clarify nuance in requests, offers, and hypothetical scenarios.

See also: haluta, Finnish conditional mood, polite requests in Finnish.