Ymmärrätkö

Ymmärrätkö is a Finnish interrogative phrase meaning “Do you understand?” It is formed from the verb ymmärtää, meaning to understand, in the second-person singular present tense ymmärrät, followed by the question particle -kö. The standard written form is Ymmärrätkö? For addressing more than one person or for a formal context, the form Ymmärrättekö? is used.

Usage and function: The phrase is common in everyday Finnish and is used to verify comprehension of spoken explanations, written material, or instructions. The question particle -kö attaches to the word carrying the focus of the query, and Finnish sentence structure remains relatively flexible; emphasis is usually conveyed through intonation. The tone can be neutral, curious, or slightly insistent depending on context and pitch.

Variants and nuance: In casual speech, variants such as Ymmärrätkö? may be accompanied by a softer intonation, while Ymmärrättekö? targets multiple listeners or a formal audience. Colloquial speakers may also shorten or alter the form in rapid dialogue. The question can function as a quick check during instruction or as a prompt to elaborate if understanding seems incomplete.

Examples: Ymmärrätkö, mitä tarkoitan? (Do you understand what I mean?) Ymmärrättekö tämän ohjeen? (Do you understand this instruction?)

See also: Finnish language, question formation, common Finnish phrases.