valmistaudumme

Valmistaudumme is the first-person plural present indicative form of the Finnish verb valmistautua, meaning to prepare oneself or to get ready. The form expresses that the speaker and others are currently preparing for an upcoming situation, event, or task. It is used in statements about collective preparation and is typically followed by phrases indicating what is being prepared for, such as koetukseen (for an exam), matkaan (for a trip), or projektiin (for a project).

Grammatically, valmistaudumme is an intransitive, reflexive verb form. It belongs to the common Finnish pattern of verbs ending in -ua/-utua. Related forms include minä valmistaudun, sinä valmistaudut, hän valmistautuu, and the imperative or other-person forms: me valmistaudumme, te valmistaudutte, he valmistautuvat. The negative present is emmeko/emme valmistaudu, depending on question or assertion, with the past tense being valmistautuimme.

Usage notes: Valmistaudumme is appropriate for describing deliberate, outcome-oriented preparation by a group that includes the speaker. It can convey both near-future plans and routine preparation for recurring occasions. It is distinct from valmistaa, which means “to prepare something” (a thing), whereas valmistautua focuses on preparing oneself.

Examples:

- Me valmistaudumme kokeeseen huomenna.

- Valmistaudumme tulevaan projektiin yhdessä tiimin kanssa.

- Ennen matkaa me valmistaudumme pakkaamalla ja tarkastamalla tavarat.

Etymology and cognates: The verb is formed from the root related to preparation (valmistus) with the reflexive suffix -tua/-utua, a common pattern in Finnish for actions directed at the subject.