katsotaan

Katsotaan is a Finnish verb form derived from katsoa, meaning to look, view, or consider. In standard Finnish, katsotaan represents the present passive (the impersonal passive) of katsoa and is commonly used as a discourse marker to introduce examination, discussion, or analysis. The subject is not specified, so the expression translates roughly as “let us look” or “we shall see,” depending on context.

Usage and function. Katsotaan is chiefly used to initiate consideration of a matter, an example, or a result. It often appears in spoken language, journalism, and instructional or explanatory text to signal a step in reasoning or investigation. The form can stand alone or be followed by a clause, e.g., katsotaan, mitä seuraavaksi tapahtuu (we will see what happens next). The expression օր also occurs as katsotaanpa, with the particle pa adding a softening, inviting tone.

Grammatical notes. Katsotaan is the present passive form of katsoa and does not specify an agent. It can be used in neutral, investigative, or tentative statements, avoiding a direct subject. Variants include katsotaanpa (adds emphasis or politeness) and other context-dependent constructions where the action of looking or examining is foregrounded.

Examples. Katsotaanpa, miten tämä toimii. (Let’s see how this works.) Tilanne on monimutkainen; katsotaan, mitä seuraavaksi tapahtuu. (The situation is complex; we will see what happens next.)

See also: Finnish verb katsoa; passive constructions; discourse markers in Finnish.