kerrohan

Kerrohan is a colloquial Finnish verb phrase used to request information in a polite, inviting way. It combines the verb kertoa, meaning “to tell,” in its second-person singular imperative form kerro with the enclitic particle -han, which softens the command and expresses a gentle request. The result can be translated as “please tell me” or “do tell me.”

Grammatically, kerrohan operates as a light, conversational imperative directed at the listener. The -han particle adds politeness and fosters a cooperative tone rather than a strict directive. The construction is typically used in informal spoken Finnish and in dialogue in writing. It is not generally employed in formal or official contexts, where more neutral or deferential forms such as “voisitko kertoa” or “kertaisitko” are preferred.

Usage notes and nuances: kerrohan signals curiosity and a desire for information, often in situations where the speaker expects the listener to share details or a story. The phrase can carry warmth, playfulness, or even mild teasing, depending on intonation and context. It can be followed by a direct object or question, for example: “Kerrohan, missä olette olleet?” or “Kerrohan, mitä tapahtui.” Variants exist, including “kertokaapas” and “kertoisitko,” which offer different degrees of politeness or formality.

See also: Finnish imperative forms, particle -han, polite request constructions in Finnish.