Rohkaise

Rohkaise is the Finnish imperative form of the verb rohkaista, meaning to encourage, embolden, or cheer up. It is used to issue a direct exhortation to someone to offer encouragement or to help someone gain confidence. In English, it can be translated as “Cheer up” or “Encourage [someone],” and it is typically addressed to a single person in informal speech.

Etymology and related forms: The verb rohkaista is related to rohkea, meaning brave, and rohkeus, meaning courage. The root roh- connects these words to concepts of spirit and confidence. The imperative rohkaise represents the second-person singular form used for direct encouragement or urging.

Usage notes: Rohkaise is common in conversational Finnish, coaching, and motivational contexts. It emphasizes boosting morale or self-belief rather than providing instructions. The direct object can be a person or a group, for example rohkaise ystävääsi or rohkaise tiimiä, though variations and other mood forms may be used for different registers or plural address. In formal writing, speakers might choose more neutral phrasing or different imperative forms.

Examples:

- Rohkaise ystävääsi ennen koitosta. (Cheer up your friend before the challenge / Encourage your friend before the trial.)

- Hän tarvitsee, että rohkaiset hänet uskomaan itseensä. (He needs you to encourage him to believe in himself.)

See also: rohkaisu, rohkeus, rohkea.