Tarkoitetaanko

Tarkoitetaanko is a Finnish verb form used to ask whether something is meant or intended. It is the present passive interrogative form of the verb tarkoittaa, which means to mean, refer to, or intend. The -ko/-kö question particle is attached to the passive form, yielding tarkoitetaanko, typically translating to “is it meant” or “are we to take it as.”

Grammatically, tarkoitetaan is the present passive of tarkoittaa, and the question marker -ko/-kö is inserted to form a yes–no question. The subject is often indefinite or located in the surrounding context, for example: “Tarkoitetaanko tällä sanalla jotakin muuta?” and “Tarkoitetaanko, että kokous siirtyy?” The construction is common in both spoken and written Finnish when clarification of meaning or intention is needed.

Usage and nuance: tarkoitetaanko is used to verify the intended meaning of a word, phrase, instruction, or action. It can express doubt or request confirmation about implicit or ambiguous communication. In formal writing, a synonymous, less colloquial form is “Onko tarkoitus…” or “Onko tarkoitettu…”, but tarkoitetaanko remains a frequent choice for direct clarification in everyday language.

Examples:

- Tarkoitetaanko tällä sanalla ystävää, jaa? (Is this word intended to mean “friend,” right?)

- Tarkoitetaanko, että kokous siirtyy ensi viikon lopulle?

See also: tarkottaa, tarkoittaa, mitä tarkoitat.