väitekysymys

A väitekysymys, often translated as a declarative question or a statement question, is a sentence that is phrased as a statement but has the intonation or grammatical markers of a question. It is used to express surprise, disbelief, confirmation, or to elicit a response that affirms the statement. These questions do not seek new information but rather expect agreement or a reaction to the assertion made.

In Finnish, väitekysymykset can be formed in several ways. Often, they are simply statements with a rising intonation at the end, similar to how one might express surprise in English by saying "You're leaving?" with a rising tone. Alternatively, certain particles or question words can be used, though their function in a väitekysymys differs from their use in a genuine information-seeking question. For example, adding a particle like "vai" can sometimes transform a statement into a question seeking confirmation. The context and the speaker's intention are crucial for understanding whether a sentence functions as a väitekysymys.

The purpose of a väitekysymys is not to ask for factual information, as the speaker usually already possesses or assumes the information. Instead, it serves to engage the listener, prompt them to acknowledge the statement, or express the speaker's own emotional response to the situation. They are common in informal conversation and can add a nuanced layer of meaning beyond a simple declarative sentence.