Tarkoitatko

Tarkoitatko is a Finnish phrase formed from the verb tarkoittaa, meaning to mean or to intend. It is used to ask for clarification about what someone means or what they intend to convey. The form combines the second person singular present indicative tarkoitat with the question particle -ko, yielding tarkoitatko. The corresponding plural or formal form is tarkoitatteko.

In everyday conversation, tarkoitatko is used to confirm or challenge someone’s intended meaning. For example: Tarkoitatko sitä, että meidän pitäisi lähteä nyt? (Do you mean that we should leave now?) Tarkoitatteko, että suunnitelmamme on muuttunut? (Do you all mean that our plan has changed?) Tarkoitatko, että hän on oikeassa? (Do you mean that he is right?)

Relation to other expressions: tarkoitatko is closely related to kysymyksiä of meaning, such as Mistä tarkoitat? or Mitä tarkoitat? (What do you mean?) While mitä tarkoitat asks for the literal meaning, tarkoitatko seeks confirmation of intent or implication in a given situation. The form is versatile, functioning in casual and semi-formal contexts.

Etymology and usage notes: The word stems from tarkoittaa-tarkoittaa, with -ko adding the standard Finnish question particle to form a yes–no question. In plural or polite address, the corresponding form is tarkoitatteko. Finnish speakers choose tarkennus or clarifying questions like tarkoitatko to reduce ambiguity in conversation.