Tietäättää

Tietäättää is a Finnish verb that is rarely used in modern spoken or written Finnish. It is the causative form of the verb tietää, which means "to know." Therefore, tietäättää literally translates to "to make someone know" or "to cause someone to know." Historically, it could imply informing someone of something or ensuring they were aware of a fact.

The verb tietäättää often carried a connotation of authority or intentionality. For example, one might tietäättää a subordinate about a new policy, or a ruler might tietäättää their subjects of a decree. It suggests an active effort to impart knowledge.

While the literal meaning is straightforward, the verb's infrequency in contemporary Finnish stems from the availability of more common and nuanced alternatives. Verbs like ilmoittaa (to inform), kertoa (to tell), or saattaa tietoon (to bring to someone's attention) are generally preferred for conveying the act of making someone aware of something. The archaic feel of tietäättää can make it sound overly formal or even a bit imposing in many contexts. Its usage is now largely confined to older texts or specific stylistic choices aiming for a deliberately dated effect.