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A2 verb 8 min read

jakaa

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips jakaa in 30 Seconds

Explanation jakaa in your Level:

At the A1 level, 'jakaa' is primarily used for basic physical sharing and simple math. You learn it in the context of food (sharing a pizza) or classroom activities (sharing a book). The focus is on the present tense 'minä jaan' and the basic meaning of 'to give some to others'. You might also see it on social media buttons. It is one of the first verbs where you encounter consonant gradation (k-ø), which is a key hurdle for beginners. You should focus on simple sentences like 'Minä jaan omenan' (I share an apple) or 'Jaa tämä' (Share this). Understanding the imperative 'Jaa!' is very useful for using apps and websites in Finnish.

At the A2 level, you expand 'jakaa' to digital contexts and more varied social situations. You start using it with the postposition 'kanssa' to say who you are sharing with. You also learn to use it in the past tense ('jaoin', 'jakoi') to describe things you did, like 'Jaoin kuvan eilen' (I shared a photo yesterday). This level also introduces the concept of dividing things into parts using the illative case, such as 'Jaa kakku neljään osaan'. You should be comfortable with the basic conjugation and the idea that the object can be in the partitive or accusative case depending on whether the whole thing or just 'some' is shared.

At the B1 level, 'jakaa' becomes more abstract. You use it to talk about sharing opinions, secrets, and responsibilities. You might encounter it in news articles discussing how a topic 'jakaa mielipiteitä' (divides opinions). You also start using the passive form 'jaetaan' more naturally, for example, 'Täällä jaetaan ilmaista ruokaa' (Free food is being distributed here). Your understanding of the mathematical use (division) becomes more solid. You also learn related nouns like 'jako' (division/distribution). You can now use the verb to describe complex social interactions and explain how tasks are distributed in a work or school project.

At the B2 level, you use 'jakaa' in professional and societal contexts. You discuss the 'tulonjako' (income distribution) or how resources are 'jaettu' (distributed) across a region. You understand the nuances between 'jakaa' and its synonyms like 'osittaa' or 'levittää'. You can use the verb in more complex grammatical structures, such as the second infinitive or as part of participial phrases. You also recognize idiomatic expressions and can use them correctly in debate. For instance, you can argue how a certain policy might 'jakaa kansaa' and suggest ways to 'jakaa taakkaa' (share the burden) more effectively. Your vocabulary includes derivatives like 'jakelu' (delivery/distribution).

At the C1 level, 'jakaa' is used with precision in academic and literary contexts. You can discuss the 'kahtiajako' (dichotomy/division in two) of philosophical concepts. You use the verb to describe the subtle ways in which power or influence is distributed in a society. You are familiar with technical uses in mathematics, computer science (e.g., sharing resources), and law (dividing assets). You can interpret and use the frequentative form 'jaella' to add tone to your speech, perhaps to imply that someone is being overly generous or careless with their distribution. Your mastery of the verb's gradation and case requirements is flawless, even in long, subordinate-clause-heavy sentences.

At the C2 level, you have a native-like command of 'jakaa'. You understand its historical etymology and its place in Finnish literature. You can use it to express the finest nuances of human interaction—how a look can be 'shared' between two people in a split second, or how a legacy is 'divided' among generations. You can play with the word in puns or creative writing. You are comfortable with archaic or highly formal forms of the word used in legal statutes or classical poetry. 'Jakaa' is no longer just a verb to you; it's a versatile tool for describing the fundamental structures of reality, from the division of atoms to the sharing of a collective national identity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

jakaa in 30 Seconds

Jakaa is the primary Finnish verb for both 'to share' (socially) and 'to divide' (physically or mathematically).
It is a Type 1 verb that undergoes k-ø consonant gradation (e.g., minä jaan, hän jakaa).
Commonly used in digital contexts for sharing posts and in restaurants for sharing food.
The word is essential for basic communication, math, and describing social interactions.

The Finnish verb jakaa is a versatile and essential word that every learner must master early in their journey. At its core, it describes the act of taking a whole and splitting it into parts, or taking something and making it available to others. This dual nature—division and distribution—makes it applicable in physical, mathematical, and social contexts. Whether you are cutting a pizza, solving a math problem, or posting a photo on Instagram, 'jakaa' is the word you need.

Physical Division: This refers to splitting a tangible object. For example, dividing a cake into eight slices or splitting a deck of cards among players. It implies that the original whole is being partitioned.
Digital Sharing: In the modern era, 'jakaa' is the standard term for social media actions. When you 'share' a link, a post, or a video, you are using the verb 'jakaa'. It is the word you will see on the 'Share' button in localized software.
Mathematical Operations: In arithmetic, 'jakaa' means to divide. 'Kymmenen jaettuna kahdella' means ten divided by two. It is the fundamental verb for the operation of division.

Voitko jakaa tämän tiedoston kanssani? (Can you share this file with me?)

Beyond physical and digital acts, 'jakaa' is used for abstract concepts. You can share a secret (jakaa salaisuus), share a life (jakaa elämä), or share an opinion (jakaa mielipide). If a topic is controversial, Finns say it 'jakaa mielipiteitä' (divides opinions), meaning people are split on the issue. This usage mirrors English closely, making it intuitive for English speakers once the grammar is understood. In a professional setting, a manager might 'jakaa tehtäviä' (distribute tasks) among team members. In a domestic setting, parents might 'jakaa karkit' (divide the candies) fairly among children. The word is deeply rooted in the concept of fairness and collective experience, which are central themes in Finnish culture.

Me jaamme laskun ravintolassa. (We share the bill at the restaurant.)

Using jakaa correctly requires attention to two main things: consonant gradation and the case of the object. As a Type 1 verb ending in -aa, it follows a predictable but important pattern of changes. When the syllable is closed (as in the first person 'minä' form), the 'k' drops out. This is one of the most common mistakes for beginners who try to say 'minä jakaan'—which is incorrect. The correct form is 'minä jaan'.

The Conjugation Pattern: Minä jaan (I share), Sinä jaat (You share), Hän jakaa (He/She shares), Me jaamme (We share), Te jaatte (You all share), He jakavat (They share). Notice how the 'k' only appears in the third person forms and the infinitive.
The Object Case: If you share 'some' of something (like news or love), use the partitive: 'Jaan iloa' (I share joy). If you share a specific, whole thing (like a link or a cake), use the accusative/genitive: 'Jaan linkin' (I share the link).

Hän jakoi suklaan tasan kaikkien kesken. (He divided the chocolate equally among everyone.)

In more complex sentences, 'jakaa' often takes the illative case (-iin, -aan) to indicate what something is being divided *into*. For example, 'Jaa paperi neljään osaan' (Divide the paper into four parts). This is crucial for giving instructions or explaining processes. In the passive voice, 'jaetaan', it is often used for general rules or societal distributions: 'Suomessa tulot jaetaan melko tasan' (In Finland, income is distributed fairly equally). The past tense 'jaoin' (I shared) and 'jakoi' (he/she shared) also follow the consonant gradation rules, which can be tricky. Remember: if the ending makes the syllable closed, the 'k' stays away. If the syllable is open, the 'k' stays.

Haluaisin jakaa tämän kokemuksen teidän kanssanne. (I would like to share this experience with you.)

In daily Finnish life, jakaa is everywhere. If you use a smartphone in Finnish, you will see the word 'Jaa' under every photo in your gallery or every article in your browser. It is the digital imperative. In social settings, especially among friends at a restaurant, you might hear 'Jaetaanko pizza?' (Shall we share the pizza?). This passive form is a polite way to suggest a shared action.

In Schools and Education: Teachers use it constantly. 'Jaan teille monisteet' (I am handing out/distributing the handouts to you). In math class, students learn 'jakolasku' (division calculation).
In News and Media: News anchors often say, 'Tämä uutinen on jakanut kansan kahtia' (This news has split the nation in two). It is also used when discussing the distribution of wealth, taxes, or resources.

Postinkantaja jakaa postia joka päivä. (The mail carrier distributes the mail every day.)

You will also hear it in the context of 'sharing a ride' or 'carpooling'. While 'kimppakyyti' is the noun, the act of sharing the driving or the space is described using 'jakaa'. In workplace meetings, someone might say 'Jaan näyttöni' (I'll share my screen), a phrase that has become ubiquitous since the rise of remote work. Even in sports, a player might 'jakaa palloa' (distribute the ball), meaning they are passing it effectively to teammates rather than hogging it. The word encompasses both the generosity of sharing and the logistical necessity of distributing.

Voitko jakaa sijaintisi WhatsAppissa? (Can you share your location on WhatsApp?)

For English speakers, the most frequent errors with jakaa involve grammar rather than meaning. Finnish is a highly inflected language, and 'jakaa' is a prime example of how consonant gradation can trip up a learner. Another common issue is choosing the wrong verb for 'sharing' in specific contexts, as English uses 'share' for things that Finnish might distinguish.

Forgetting Gradation: Saying 'minä jakaan' instead of 'minä jaan'. Remember that the 'k' disappears when the personal ending (-n, -t, -mme, -tte) closes the syllable. This is a fundamental rule for Type 1 verbs.
Confusion with 'Kertoa': In English, we 'share a story'. In Finnish, while you can 'jakaa tarinan', it's often more natural to 'kertoa tarina' (tell a story). Use 'jakaa' when the focus is on the communal experience of the story, but 'kertoa' for the act of narrating.
The 'With' Preposition: Learners often try to use the comitative case or 'kanssa' incorrectly. Remember that 'kanssa' requires the preceding word to be in the genitive case: 'ystävän kanssa' (with a friend), not 'ystävä kanssa'.

Väärin: Minä jakaan kakun. Oikein: Minä jaan kakun.

Another mistake is the misuse of the passive form 'jaetaan'. Beginners sometimes use it when they mean 'we share' in a specific instance, but 'me jaamme' is usually better unless you are speaking very informally. Also, be careful with 'jakaa' versus 'osallistua'. You share a link (jakaa), but you participate in an event (osallistua). If you 'share' a feeling, you might 'jakaa tunteen', but if you 'share' a hobby, you might say 'meillä on yhteinen harrastus' (we have a common hobby). Understanding these nuances will make your Finnish sound much more natural and precise.

While jakaa is the most common word for sharing and dividing, Finnish offers several alternatives depending on the precision or context required. Knowing these can help you avoid repetition and sound more like a native speaker.

Osittaa: This means 'to partition' or 'to divide into parts' in a more formal or technical sense. It is often used in legal or administrative contexts, such as dividing an estate or a project into phases.
Halkaista: This specifically means 'to split in half' or 'to cleave'. If you are splitting a log for firewood or cutting an apple exactly down the middle, 'halkaista' is more descriptive than 'jakaa'.
Levittää: This means 'to spread'. While 'jakaa' is used for sharing a post, 'levittää' might be used for spreading news or rumors (sometimes with a negative connotation). It implies a wider, less controlled distribution.

Hän halkaisi omenan kahtia. (He split the apple in two.)

In mathematical contexts, you might also encounter 'osamäärä' (the quotient), which is the result of 'jakaa'. For 'sharing' in the sense of 'having in common', use the adjective 'yhteinen'. Instead of saying 'we share a car', you could say 'meillä on yhteinen auto'. If you are 'sharing' a burden or responsibility, 'kantaa yhdessä' (to carry together) is a powerful idiomatic alternative. These synonyms allow you to specify whether the 'sharing' is an act of division, a communal possession, or a widespread dissemination of information.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Valtio jakaa tukea yrityksille."

Neutral

"Voitko jakaa tämän tiedoston?"

Informal

"Jaa se kuva mulle!"

Child friendly

"Muista jakaa lelut kaverin kanssa."

Slang

"Se jäbä jakeli nimmareita."

Fun Fact

The word 'jakaa' is so fundamental that it is one of the few verbs that has remained almost unchanged in its core meaning for thousands of years. In modern Finnish, it has effortlessly adapted from dividing firewood to 'sharing' digital data.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈjɑkɑː/

US /ˈjɑkɑː/

Primary stress is always on the first syllable: JA-kaa.

Rhymes With

hakaa pakaa takaa vakaa makaa rakaa lakaa sakaa

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'j' as 'dj' (like in 'judge'). In Finnish, it is always 'y'.
Making the first 'a' too long and the last 'aa' too short.
Forgetting the k-ø gradation in conjugated forms.
Mispronouncing the 'k' as a 'g'.
Not distinguishing between 'jakaa' and 'jaa' (the imperative).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize in context due to its frequency on buttons.

Writing 3/5

Tricky because of the k-ø gradation in conjugated forms.

Speaking 2/5

Simple pronunciation, but remember the long 'aa'.

Listening 2/5

Clear sounds, but don't confuse with 'jäädä'.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

antaa osa me kanssa kakku

Learn Next

osallistua kertoa levittää halkaista monistaa

Advanced

jakautuminen osakeyhtiö perinnönjako jakelukanava kahtiajako

Grammar to Know

Consonant Gradation (Type 1)

jakaa -> jaan (k disappears in closed syllable)

Partitive vs Accusative Object

Jaan kakun (whole) vs Jaan rakkautta (abstract/some)

Postposition 'kanssa'

Minun kanssa (with me) - requires genitive

Illative for division

Jaa kolmeen osaan (divide into three parts)

Passive Voice Formation

jaetaan (present passive)

Examples by Level

Minä jaan omenan.

I share an apple.

Minä-form: k drops out.

Jaa tämä kuva.

Share this picture.

Imperative form.

Me jaamme pizzan.

We share the pizza.

Me-form: k drops out.

Hän jakaa karkkia.

He/she shares candy.

Hän-form: k remains.

Voitko jakaa kynän?

Can you share a pen?

Infinitive form.

He jakavat lehdet.

They distribute the magazines.

He-form: k remains.

Jaan suklaan.

I share the chocolate.

Accusative object (whole bar).

Sinä jaat kaiken.

You share everything.

Sinä-form: k drops out.

Jaoin kuvan Facebookissa.

I shared a photo on Facebook.

Past tense (imperfect).

Jaan huoneen siskoni kanssa.

I share a room with my sister.

Use of 'kanssa' with genitive.

Jaa kakku kahdeksaan osaan.

Divide the cake into eight parts.

Illative case for 'parts'.

Hän jakoi tehtävät meille.

He/she divided the tasks for us.

Allative case (meille).

Voimmeko jakaa laskun?

Can we share the bill?

Polite request.

Opettaja jakaa kokeet.

The teacher is handing out the exams.

Present tense.

Jaan mielipiteesi.

I share your opinion.

Abstract sharing.

Kymmenen jaettuna kahdella on viisi.

Ten divided by two is five.

Passive past participle.

Tämä uutinen jakaa mielipiteitä.

This news divides opinions.

Idiomatic expression.

Haluaisin jakaa kokemukseni teidän kanssanne.

I would like to share my experience with you.

Conditional mood.

On tärkeää jakaa vastuuta.

It is important to share responsibility.

Partitive object.

Posti jaetaan aamulla.

The mail is delivered in the morning.

Passive present tense.

Hän on aina valmis jakamaan vähästään.

He is always ready to share from the little he has.

Infinitive as object.

Miten voitot jaetaan?

How are the profits divided?

Passive voice.

Jaoimme salaisuuden keskenämme.

We shared a secret among ourselves.

Keskenämme (among us).

Älä jaa henkilökohtaisia tietojasi.

Don't share your personal information.

Negative imperative.

Tulot jaetaan verotuksen kautta.

Income is distributed through taxation.

Societal context.

Hän jakoi omaisuutensa tasan lapsilleen.

He divided his property equally among his children.

Past tense + allative.

Tämä kysymys on jakanut kansaa jo pitkään.

This question has divided the nation for a long time.

Perfect tense.

Jaan huolesi tulevaisuudesta.

I share your concern about the future.

Abstract emotion.

Tehtävät on jaettu tärkeysjärjestyksessä.

The tasks have been divided in order of importance.

Passive perfect.

Voit jakaa näyttösi palaverissa.

You can share your screen in the meeting.

Modern workplace terminology.

Hän jakoi tunnustusta koko tiimille.

He shared/gave credit to the whole team.

Metaphorical sharing.

Onko kortit jo jaettu?

Have the cards already been dealt?

Passive perfect question.

Kirjailija jakaa lukijat kahteen leiriin.

The author divides readers into two camps.

Literary analysis.

Valta on jaettu kolmeen osaan.

Power is divided into three parts.

Political science context.

Hän jakeli neuvoja pyytämättä.

He was handing out advice without being asked.

Frequentative verb 'jaella'.

Tämä teoria jakaa tiedeyhteisöä.

This theory divides the scientific community.

Academic context.

Resurssit on jaettava tasapuolisesti.

Resources must be distributed equitably.

Necessive structure.

Hän ei halunnut jakaa kohtaloaan muiden kanssa.

He didn't want to share his fate with others.

Existential context.

Jako tapahtui nopeasti.

The division/distribution happened quickly.

Noun form 'jako'.

Hän jakoi elämänsä kahden maan välillä.

He divided his life between two countries.

Figurative use.

Sivistyneistön ja kansan välinen kuilu jakaa yhteiskuntaa.

The gap between the intelligentsia and the people divides society.

Complex societal analysis.

Hän jakoi auliisti laajaa asiantuntemustaan.

He generously shared his extensive expertise.

Adverbial usage 'auliisti'.

Oikeus jakoi omaisuuden perintökaaren mukaisesti.

The court divided the property according to the inheritance code.

Legal terminology.

Tämä filosofinen dilemma jakaa mieliä vuosisadasta toiseen.

This philosophical dilemma divides minds from one century to the next.

Abstract plural 'mieliä'.

Hän jakoi kipunsa runojen muodossa.

He shared his pain in the form of poems.

Poetic expression.

Voimme jakaa tämän hetken hiljaisuudessa.

We can share this moment in silence.

Nuanced emotional context.

Valtakunta jaettiin useisiin lääneihin.

The realm was divided into several provinces.

Historical passive.

Hän jakoi kortit taitavasti kuin ammattilainen.

He dealt the cards skillfully like a professional.

Simile usage.

Common Collocations

jakaa mielipiteitä

jakaa tasan

jakaa linkki

jakaa huone

jakaa lasku

jakaa kokemus

jakaa vastuuta

jakaa postia

jakaa kahtia

jakaa tietoa

Common Phrases

Jaa!

— Share! (The button on social media).

Paina 'jaa' -painiketta.

Jaettu ilo on kaksinkertainen ilo.

— A shared joy is a double joy. (Finnish proverb).

Muista, että jaettu ilo on kaksinkertainen ilo.

Jakaa tasan.

— To divide equally.

Meidän täytyy jakaa karkit tasan.

Jakaa kahtia.

— To split in two.

Omena jaettiin kahtia.

Jakaa mielipiteet.

— To divide opinions (be controversial).

Uusi laki jakaa mielipiteet.

Jakaa huolet.

— To share one's worries.

On helpompaa, kun voi jakaa huolet.

Jakaa vuoroja.

— To distribute shifts (at work).

Esimies jakaa vuorot.

Jakaa palkintoja.

— To hand out awards.

Tänään jaetaan palkintoja.

Jakaa kortit.

— To deal the cards.

Kuka jakaa kortit?

Jakaa tehtäviä.

— To assign tasks.

Meidän täytyy jakaa tehtävät.

Often Confused With

jakaa vs jäädä

Means 'to stay'. Sounds similar but starts with 'jää-'.

jakaa vs jatkaa

Means 'to continue'. Has a 't' instead of a 'k'.

jakaa vs jalkaa

Means 'leg' (partitive case). Sounds similar to 'jakaa'.

Idioms & Expressions

"Jakaa ja hallita"

— Divide and conquer (political strategy).

Politiikassa käytetään usein 'jakaa ja hallita' -taktiikkaa.

Formal

"Jakaa tasan nallekarkit"

— To divide things very strictly and fairly (often used with children).

Nyt jaetaan nallekarkit tasan.

Informal

"Jakaa sama kohtalo"

— To share the same fate.

He jakoivat saman kohtalon.

Neutral

"Jakaa vuoteensa jonkun kanssa"

— To share one's bed with someone (be in a relationship).

He ovat jakaneet vuoteensa jo vuosia.

Literary

"Jakaa onnea"

— To spread happiness.

Hän haluaa vain jakaa onnea ympärilleen.

Neutral

"Jakaa pöytä"

— To share a table (in a crowded cafe).

Voimmeko jakaa tämän pöydän?

Neutral

"Jakaa elämänsä"

— To spend one's life with someone.

Hän haluaa jakaa elämänsä sinun kanssasi.

Romantic

"Jakaa oikeutta"

— To dispense justice.

Tuomari jakaa oikeutta salissa.

Legal

"Jakaa armopaloja"

— To give crumbs/scraps (be stingy or patronizing).

Hän vain jakeli armopaloja köyhille.

Critical

"Jakaa leipää"

— To share bread (symbol of survival/community).

He jakoivat leipää hädän keskellä.

Literary

Easily Confused

jakaa vs kertoa

Both can mean 'to share' in English (share a story).

Use 'kertoa' for narrating and 'jakaa' for the social act of sharing.

Kerron sinulle tarinan.

jakaa vs antaa

Sharing involves giving.

Use 'antaa' for giving something away completely; 'jakaa' for splitting or sharing.

Annan sinulle kynän (You keep it).

jakaa vs osallistua

English 'share' can mean 'participate'.

Use 'osallistua' for participating in events.

Osallistun kilpailuun.

jakaa vs levittää

Both involve distribution.

Use 'levittää' for spreading things like butter or rumors over an area.

Levitä voita leivälle.

jakaa vs halkaista

Both involve division.

Use 'halkaista' specifically for splitting something into two pieces.

Halkaisen omenan.

Sentence Patterns

Minä jaan [Object].

Minä jaan omenan.

Voitko jakaa [Object]?

Voitko jakaa linkin?

Jaan [Object] [Person] kanssa.

Jaan huoneen veljen kanssa.

Jaa [Object] [Number] osaan.

Jaa kakku neljään osaan.

[Subject] jakaa mielipiteitä.

Tämä uutinen jakaa mielipiteitä.

[Object] jaetaan [Context].

Posti jaetaan aamulla.

Hän jakoi [Abstract Object].

Hän jakoi asiantuntemustaan.

[Subject] jaettiin [State/Result].

Valtakunta jaettiin lääneihin.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Extremely high in both spoken and written Finnish.

Common Mistakes

Minä jakaan kakun. → Minä jaan kakun.
Incorrect conjugation; the 'k' should drop out in the first person singular.
Jaan huone minun veli kanssa. → Jaan huoneen veljeni kanssa.
The object should be in the accusative (huoneen) and 'kanssa' requires the genitive (veljeni).
Hän jaoi kuvat. → Hän jakoi kuvat.
In the third person past tense, the 'k' remains because the syllable is open.
Jaetaan kakku kolme osaa. → Jaetaan kakku kolmeen osaan.
The destination of the division requires the illative case.
Hän jakaa tarinan. → Hän kertoo tarinan.
While 'jakaa' is possible, 'kertoa' is much more natural for narrating a story.

Tips

Check the k

Always check the personal ending. If it's -n, -t, -mme, or -tte, the 'k' must go!

Look for the button

Change your phone language to Finnish. You will see 'Jaa' every day, which helps reinforce the word.

Division is Sharing

Remember that math division is just sharing a number into equal groups.

Pizza Rule

Use 'Jaetaanko?' when you want to suggest sharing food with friends. It's very common.

Abstract Sharing

Don't be afraid to use 'jakaa' for feelings and thoughts, not just objects.

Avoid 'Jakaan'

This is the most common beginner error. Practice saying 'Minä jaan' until it's automatic.

Fairness

In Finland, 'jakaa tasan' (sharing equally) is a strong social value.

Illative Case

When dividing into pieces, remember the -iin/-aan ending (e.g., kolmeen osaan).

Gradation in speech

Listen for the difference between 'hän jakaa' (with k) and 'he jakavat' (with k) vs 'me jaamme' (no k).

Mielipiteet

Use 'jakaa mielipiteitä' to describe something controversial like a movie or politician.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'JA-kaa' as 'YA-kaa'. 'YA' like 'YES, I will share the CAKE (kaa)'.

Visual Association

Imagine a large 'K' being chopped in half, leaving two empty spaces (the ø gradation in 'jaan').

Word Web

pizza linkki mielipide raha posti kortit tehtävä huone

Challenge

Try to use 'jakaa' in three different ways today: once for a physical object, once for a digital link, and once for an opinion.

Word Origin

Rooted in the Proto-Finnic word *jaka-, which meant to split or divide. It is a very old Uralic root with cognates in other Finno-Ugric languages like Estonian 'jagama' and Hungarian 'java' (though more distantly).

Original meaning: To split or cut into pieces.

Uralic

Cultural Context

Be careful when 'jakaminen' involves personal space; Finns value their privacy, so 'sharing' a table or space usually requires a polite 'Onko tässä vapaata?' (Is this seat free?).

English speakers use 'share' for 'having in common' (We share a house), while Finns often use 'yhteinen' (Meillä on yhteinen talo).

The Biblical 'jakaa leipää' (sharing bread) Social media 'Jaa' button Math textbooks 'Jakolasku'

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Social Media

Jaa postaus
Jaa kavereille
Jaa tarinassa
Jaa linkki

Restaurant

Jaetaanko lasku?
Voimmeko jakaa pizzan?
Haluatko jakaa jälkiruoan?
Jaetaan tasan.

Office

Jaan näyttöni
Jaa tiedosto
Jakaa tehtäviä
Jakaa tietoa

School

Jakaa kynät
Jakolasku
Jakaa monisteet
Jakaa ryhmiin

Home

Jakaa huone
Jakaa karkit
Jakaa kotityöt
Jakaa salaisuus

Conversation Starters

"Haluatko jakaa tämän annoksen kanssani?"

"Voisitko jakaa tuon mielenkiintoisen artikkelin?"

"Miten te yleensä jaatte laskun ravintolassa?"

"Oletko jo jakanut kuvat eiliseltä?"

"Tämä aihe todella jakaa mielipiteitä, vai mitä?"

Journal Prompts

Kirjoita tilanteesta, jossa sinun piti jakaa jotain tärkeää jonkun kanssa.

Mitä asioita on mielestäsi vaikea jakaa muiden kanssa?

Miten työt jaetaan sinun työpaikallasi tai koulussasi?

Onko olemassa uutinen, joka on jakanut mielipiteitäsi viime aikoina?

Miksi jaettu ilo on mielestäsi 'kaksinkertainen ilo'?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

It is 'minä jaan'. The 'k' disappears due to consonant gradation when the syllable is closed.

You say 'jaa kanssani' or 'jaa minun kanssani'.

Yes, 'jakaa' is the standard verb for division. 'Jaettuna' is 'divided by'.

It is simply 'Jaa'.

No, it is used for abstract things like opinions, secrets, and digital files.

Usually accusative for a whole thing (kakun) or partitive for an undefined amount or abstract concept (iloa).

Use the illative case: 'jakaa osiin'.

'Jaella' is the frequentative form, meaning to distribute many things or to do it repeatedly.

Yes, 'jaan huoneen ystävän kanssa' is correct.

For 'he/she', it is 'jakoi'. For 'I', it is 'jaoin'.