Olkaamme

Olkaamme is a Finnish verb form used to propose collective action or to express a mood of inclusion in a statement. It translates roughly as “let us” in English and is the first-person plural imperative form of olla, the verb “to be.” In Finnish, the form is primarily used in formal, ceremonial, or rhetorical contexts, such as speeches, declarations, or religious texts, where the speaker invites the audience to join in a course of action or a shared attitude.

Grammatical details are that Olkaamme denotes “let us be” or more generally “let us [do something]” when followed by an adjective or a verb that describes the desired state or action. It is commonly found with adjectives (for example, Olkaamme kärsivällisiä, let us be patient; Olkaamme rehellisiä, let us be honest) or with verbs in infinitive form when describing collective actions. The corresponding question form is Olkaammeko…?, as in Olkaammeko aloittamassa keskustelun, “Shall we start the discussion?” In contrast to more casual speech, everyday language often prefers forms like mennään (let’s go) or simpler imperatives.

Usage notes: Olkaamme tends to appear in formal or ceremonial discourse and is valued for its inclusive tone, signaling that a decision or action is shared by speaker and audience. It is less common in casual conversation, where direct imperatives or first-person plural forms of other verbs are more typical.

See also: Finnish grammar, Imperative mood, Partitive and collective forms in Finnish. Examples include Olkaamme kärsivällisiä, Olkaamme rohkeita, and Olkaammeko valmiita aloittamaan keskustelun.