käskysana

Käskysana refers to the imperative mood form of a Finnish verb, the form used to issue commands, instructions, or requests. In Finnish grammar it is not a separate word class, but a verb form that expresses volition or directive directed at the listener. The imperative is most commonly used in direct address and is typically connected to the second person.

In terms of formation, the singular imperative is built from the verb stem and often appears without a personal ending. Examples include Tule! (come), Tee se. (do it), Syö! (eat). The plural imperative adds -kaa or -kää depending on vowel harmony, as in Tulkaa! (come here, you all), Tehkää! (do it), Syökää! (eat, you all). The negative imperative uses älä before the verb: Älä tule! (Don’t come!). For plural negative commands, forms like Älkää menkö! (Don’t go!) are used.

Käskysanat are frequent in everyday speech, signs, manuals, and directions, where a direct instruction is required. The tone of the imperative can range from neutral to blunt, and in polite or softer discourse speakers may opt for alternative constructions such as voisitteko (could you) or olkaa hyvä (please). The term etymologically combines käsky, meaning “command,” with sana, meaning “word,” reflecting its role as a command-form of a verb.

See also: imperative mood; verb forms in Finnish; negative imperatives.