oletko

Oletko is a common Finnish word that functions as a yes-or-no question form. It is formed by taking the present tense, second-person singular of the verb olla (ole) and adding the question particle -ko, resulting in Oletko, which means "Are you?" in English. The word is used to introduce a question directed at the listener and can stand at the beginning of a sentence.

In Finnish, the verb olla conjugates as minä olen, sinä olet, hän on, me olemme, te olette, he ovat. The question particle -ko (or -kö after vowels) attaches to the word it follows, turning a statement into a question without requiring an additional verb like do. This construction is used with a wide range of verbs and adjectives, producing straightforward questions such as Oletko valmis? (Are you ready?) or Oletko nähnyt tämän? (Have you seen this?)

Colloquial speech sometimes features variants or slang spellings, such as Oletkos, in informal writing or rapid speech. However, in standard written Finnish, Oletko is the conventional form.

Beyond its basic role, Oletko appears in everyday dialogue and formal inquiries alike, reflecting Finnish question formation’s reliance on the particle -ko/-kö rather than a separate auxiliary verb. Its usage demonstrates Finnish syntax where the subject may be omitted or implied, with the question particle providing the necessary turn to a question.

See also: Finnish grammar, Yes-no questions in Finnish, Olla (verb).