tahdonilmaisu

Tahdonilmaisu is a Finnish linguistic term for expressions that convey the speaker’s will, intention, or desire. It covers both verb forms that express volition and constructions that indicate what someone plans to do or wishes to happen. The category helps distinguish statements that reflect personal will from those describing fact.

In modern Finnish, the most common way to express volition is with the verb haluta (to want) and its related forms. For example, minä haluan auttaa sinua (I want to help you). The conditional form haluaisin is often used to soften statements or make polite requests, as in haluaisin mennä elokuviin (I would like to go to the cinema). Aikoa (to intend) is another key source of tahdonilmaisu, with forms like aion mennä (I intend to go). The verb tahtoa/tahtoa exists mainly in more formal, literary, or archaic registers, where tahtoisi/tahtoisin can appear.

Syntactically, tahdonilmaisu typically centers on a subject–verb relation with an infinitive or a finite verb that carries the volitional meaning. The construction often involves expressing intent or wish for a future action rather than stating a current fact. The nuance ranges from a strong, direct desire (haluan) to a polite wish (haluaisin) or a planned action (aion).

Cross-linguistically, tahdonilmaisu parallels modal expressions of volition found in many languages, though Finnish relies primarily on verbs of desire and intention rather than a dedicated mood. See also modality, Finnish verb mood, haluta, aikoa.