toivotaan

Toivotaan is a Finnish verb form derived from toivoa, meaning to hope. It is the present passive form, used to express that a hope or expectation exists about a situation without specifying the agent who hopes. The subject is indefinite, functioning much like the English impersonal construction “it is hoped” or “we hope” in context.

In Finnish, the present passive conveys information about a situation as something generally believed or desired by people in general, rather than by a specific subject. Toivotaan is therefore common in public discourse, media headlines, and official statements where a collective wish or anticipated outcome is being communicated without naming who hopes for it.

Usage and nuance: toivotaan often introduces a statement of hope regarding a future development or result. It softens claims, hedges predictions, and avoids assigning responsibility to a particular actor. It can express both cautious optimism and shared aspirations.

Examples include: “Tilanne on edelleen epävarma, mutta toivotaan parasta.” (“The situation remains uncertain, but let’s hope for the best.”) and “Toivotaan, että päätös auttaa kaikkia osapuolia.” (“It is hoped that the decision will help all parties.”) The form contrasts with active forms such as toivomme or toivoisin, which explicitly indicate the subject performing the action.

Related forms: past passive toivottiin (it was hoped), infinitive toivoa, and other moods like toivon (I hope) or toivotta (obsolete or dialectal).