Houkuttele

Houkuttele is a Finnish verb form associated with the verb houkutella, which means "to entice," "to tempt," or "to lure." In everyday Finnish usage houkuttele appears as an imperative form used to encourage or command someone to entice or attract, and it also occurs in colloquial and advertising language where an inviting or persuasive tone is intended.

Meaning and usage

The root verb houkutella denotes the act of drawing someone’s interest or persuading them to do something by offering appeal or reward. Houkuttele is commonly used in direct speech or promotional contexts (for example, urging someone to entice customers or try an attractive offer). The verb is used in both literal senses (luring animals or people) and figurative senses (tempting someone with opportunities, products or ideas).

Grammar

Related grammatical forms include houkutella (infinitive), houkutellen (adverbial participle), houkutellut (past participle) and various present- and past-tense conjugations of the verb. The imperative houkuttele addresses a single listener in an informal or neutral tone.

Etymology and context

Houkutella is derived from the noun houkku, meaning "temptation" or "lure," plus a verb-forming suffix. The term appears in everyday conversation, literature and marketing, and carries neutral connotations that depend on context—ranging from harmless attraction to ethically charged persuasion.