Tahtoisin

Tahtoisin is a Finnish verb form meaning “I would like.” It is the first-person singular conditional mood of the verb tahto, which means to want, and it is commonly used to express polite requests or to soften statements.

In everyday Finnish, tahtoisin is used to make requests more courteous or tentative. It is typically followed by a verb in the bare infinitive, for example: tahtoisin kysyä (I would like to ask), tahtoisin lähteä (I would like to leave), tahtoisin tietää (I would like to know). It can also introduce a subordinate clause with että, as in tahtoisin, että sinä auttaisit (I would like you to help). The tone of tahtoisin is generally more formal or understated than haluaisin, and some speakers consider it slightly literary or old-fashioned.

Grammatically, tahtoisin is the first-person singular form of tahto in the conditional mood. It contrasts with haluaisin (I would like) in nuance rather than basic meaning, with tahtoisin often perceived as softer or more courteous. Related forms include tahtoisi (third-person conditional) and the base verb tahtoa (to want). Etymologically, tahtoa derives from the Finnic root tahta-, connected to will or intention in Finnish, with tahtoisin representing a common modern usage of expressed politeness.