rohkaista

Rohkaista is a Finnish verb meaning to encourage, embolden, or hearten someone to take action or endure a challenge. It describes giving motivation, confidence, or morale through words, support, or circumstances. The action can target an individual or a group and may refer to immediate exhortation or longer-term encouragement.

Etymology and usage notes: The verb is derived from the Finnish adjective rohkea, meaning bold, and related concepts of courage. It is a regular verb in Finnish and typically takes a direct object, as in rohkaista jotakuta (to encourage someone). The sense ranges from simple persuasion to restoring courage in difficult situations.

Usage contexts: rohkaista appears in everyday language as well as formal or semi-formal discourse. It is common in sports, education, leadership, media, and personal advice, where speakers aim to lift spirits, bolster confidence, or prompt decisive action. It often conveys a stronger sense of morale-boosting than generic “encourage.”

Forms and related terms: The noun rohkaisu denotes encouragement or a morale boost, and the adjective rohkaiseva describes something encouraging. A related verb form is rohkaistua, meaning to become encouraged or to be emboldened, typically in passive or reflexive use.

Examples: A coach’s speech can rohkaista the team to persevere, or in Finnish you might say rohkaista häntä uskomaan itseensä, meaning “to encourage him to believe in himself.”

See also: rohkea, rohkeus, rohkaisu.