Tarvita

Tarvita is a Finnish verb meaning "to need" or "to require." It is used to express that someone or something requires a thing or an action. The verb often governs its object in the partitive case, which signals an indefinite quantity or extent rather than a definite amount.

In use, tarvita regularly takes a direct object in the partitive, for example: "Tarvitsen kahvia" (I need coffee). The impersonal or passive form "tarvitaan" is common and translates to "there is a need" or "is needed," as in "Lisää aikaa tarvitaan" (More time is needed).

Present-tense conjugation (indicative) typically appears as follows: minä tarvitsen; sinä tarvitset; hän tarvitsee; me tarvitsemme; te tarvitsette; he tarvitsevat. The verb also has a conditional form, such as tarvitsisin, used to express hypothetical need, for example, "Tarvitsisin lisää aikaa" (I would need more time). The past tense forms are tarvitsin, tarvitsit, tarvitsi, tarvitsimme, tarvitsitte, tarvitsivat, used when speaking about past needs.

Tarvita is etymologically related to the noun tarve (need). Related words include tarve, tarveaineet, tarveellinen (necessary), tarvikkeita (supplies), and tarvittaessa (if necessary). The language also uses the verb form tarvittava to describe something that is necessary, and the adjective tarpeellinen in similar contexts.

Tarvita is a common, versatile verb in everyday Finnish, essential for expressing necessity, requirements, and planning.