Pystytkö

Pystytkö is a Finnish interrogative form that translates to “Are you able to?” or “Can you?” in English. It derives from the verb pystyä, meaning to be able or capable, and uses the second-person singular present tense with the question suffix -kö. The related present tense forms are pystyn (I am able), pystyt (you are able), pystyy (he/she/it is able), pystymme, pystytte, and pystyvät. When combined with an infinitive, pystytkö expresses the ability to perform the action described, as in pystytkö tehdä sen? (Are you able to do it?).

Usage and grammar: Pystytkö is commonly used in everyday Finnish to inquire about someone’s capability or permission to undertake a task. It appears in casual conversation as well as written Finnish, formal and informal alike. It is typically followed by an infinitive clause that specifies the action, for example, “Pystytkö kirjoittamaan tämän suomeksi?” or “Pystytkö auttamaan minua?” The form reinforces the second-person subject and is a straightforward way to pose a question about ability.

Cultural notes: In Finnish online culture and media, pystytkö is often encountered as a concise, attention-grabbing prompt. It can function in memes, challenges, or educational contexts to test or motivate someone to demonstrate a skill or knowledge. The phrase is widely understood across Finnish-speaking communities and serves as a practical example of Finnish question formation in everyday use.

See also: Finnish grammar, pystyä, Finnish verbs of ability.