Otammeko

Otammeko is a Finnish interrogative verb form meaning “Shall we take?” or “Shall we have?” It is created by taking the first-person plural present tense of the verb ottaa, otamme, and adding the question particle -ko/-kö. The result, otammeko, is used to propose a joint action and invite the listener’s agreement. In Finnish grammar, ko/kö is appended to the word or phrase before which the question is formed, and otammeko is a common example of this construction.

Usage and examples: Otammeko kahvia? translates to “Shall we have coffee?” Otammeko mennä ulos? means “Shall we go out?” The form signals a collaborative suggestion rather than a demand, and it can soften requests or proposals in casual conversation. It is versatile and can be used with different verbs and objects, always reflecting a tentative, inclusive tone. The question particle can also appear with other pronouns or nouns, but otammeko specifically marks a proposal by the speaker and others.

Linguistic notes: Otammeko is often cited in discussions of Finnish politeness strategies and the practical use of the -ko/-kö question particle. While it appears naturally in spoken Finnish, it can also appear in written dialogue to convey a cooperative mood. The root OTTA comes from the Proto-Finnic verb for “to take,” and the -ko/-kö marker is a standard tool for forming yes-no questions in Finnish.