valitsisin

Valitsisin is the first-person singular conditional form of the Finnish verb valita, meaning "to choose" or "to elect." The form expresses a hypothetical action or a preferred choice under a given condition. It is commonly used in clauses that describe what someone would do or prefer in a certain situation.

In Finnish grammar, the conditional mood is used for hypothetical statements and hedging. The form valitsisin is created from the stem valit- with the conditional ending -isin, resulting in valitsisin. The subject pronoun minä is typically omitted, since the verb form itself carries the person information.

Examples illustrate its use. If I had many options, I would choose this: Jos minulla olisi paljon vaihtoehtoja, valitsisin tämän. I would prefer this, over that: Valitsisin mieluummin tämän kuin tuon. Such constructions convey hypothetical preference rather than a definite future action.

Related forms exist for other persons: valitsisit (you would choose), valitsisi (he/she would choose), valitsisimme (we would choose), valitsisitte (you would choose, plural), valitsisivat (they would choose). These forms follow the same pattern and are used to discuss hypothetical choices by different subjects.

See also: valita, the base verb meaning "to choose," and Finnish conditional mood more generally, which covers other verbs in similar constructions. Valitsisin thus serves as a key example of expressing hypothetical preference in Finnish.