antakaa

Antakaa is a Finnish word that functions as the second-person plural imperative form of the verb antaa, meaning to give. It is used to address multiple people and instruct or request that they provide something or perform an action. In everyday language, antakaa introduces requests, for example: “Antakaa minulle vettä” (Please give me some water). It can also appear in more formal or written Finnish to express a directive.

In grammar, antakaa marks the imperative mood for plural you. Finnish does not typically require an explicit subject, so the subject is understood from context. The negative form is “älkää antako,” meaning “do not give” or “you should not give.” The singular imperative of antaa is anna, not antakaa, which is reserved for a group.

Pronunciation is roughly [ˈɑn.tɑ.kɑː], with primary stress on the first syllable. The form is common in requests, instructions, or polite directives, but in casual conversation it can sound commanding if not softened by tone or accompanying phrases.

Antakaa can appear in a wide range of contexts, from everyday requests to official or instructional language. It is part of the broader Finnish imperative system and reflects the language’s tendency to omit explicit subjects while conveying tone through mood and context. See also: antaa; Finnish grammar; imperative mood.