tahtoa

Tahtoa is a Finnish verb meaning to want, to desire, or to will. It expresses volition or a decision to undertake a future action and is commonly used with an infinitive complement, as in I want to go or I intend to do something. The nuance is often stronger or more deliberate than in everyday talk, where haluta (to feel like) may be used.

Etymology and cognates: Tahtoa derives from the noun tahto, meaning will or intention. It is closely related to the Estonian tahta (to want) and to cognate forms in other Finnic languages. The exact proto-form remains subject to linguistic reconstruction, but the link between tahto and the verb tahtoa is clear in modern Finnish usage.

Usage and grammar: The infinitive tahta is the base form of the verb. It is conjugated as a standard Finnish verb in present tense: minä tahdon, sinä tahdot, hän tahtoo, me tahdomme, te tahdotte, he tahtovat. The past tense is expressed as tahtoi for third person singular, with other forms aligning to standard Finnish tense patterns. The conditional mood appears as tahtoisi or tahtoisin (for example, minä tahtoisi or minä tahtoisin), and tahto can be used in broader discussions of will, intention, or determination, including philosophical or ethical contexts such as vaboi free will (vapaa tahto).

Nuances and related terms: Tahtoa conveys a conscious decision or strong desire and a commitment to act. It differs from haluta, which expresses general desire or preference, and from toivoa, which denotes hope. In everyday language, tahto is common for personal intent, while tahto ainekohtaisesti appears frequently in formal, literary, or theoretical discussions about volition.