Kuulkaa

Kuulkaa is a Finnish word that functions as the second-person plural present imperative of the verb kuulla, meaning to hear or listen. As an imperative, it is used to address a group of listeners and to prompt them to listen. For example, Kuulkaa tarkkaan, mitä sanon, which translates to “Listen closely to what I am saying.”

Grammatically, kuulla is a regular -lla verb, and the plural imperative form is kuulkaa. The verb forms related to kuulla include kuulen (I hear) and kuulette (you all hear), while kuullut serves as the past participle. The imperative Kuulkaa is typically used in direct address, often in announcements, speeches, broadcasts, or conversational prompts to capture attention.

Usage and context have a broad range. In formal settings such as public addresses, news broadcasts, or instructional contexts, Kuulkaa is employed to command attention and ensure listeners focus on important information. In everyday speech, it can appear in rhetorical or emphatic phrases where bringing the audience together to listen is the goal. The tone conveyed by Kuulkaa can vary from urgent to welcoming, depending on accompanying language and delivery.

Cultural and linguistic notes: Kuulkaa is primarily a Finnish-language expression and is most recognizable within Finnish-speaking communities. It is sometimes encountered as a refrain or attention-grabbing device in literary or musical contexts, but there is no single canonical work universally identified by the term.

See also: Finnish language, kuulla, imperative mood.