päästä
Lemma: päästä
Translation: to get to; to reach; to access; to be released; to get free; to get rid of; to manage; to succeed (verb)
Etymology: Derived from the Finnish word 'pää' meaning 'head' or 'end', plus the elative case ending '-stä' (from, out of). The verb literally means 'from the head/end', conveying the idea of getting out of or away from something, or reaching an end point. This spatial metaphor has expanded to include notions of release, access, and achievement.
Example Usage
Emme päässeet sisään, koska ovi oli lukossa.
We couldn't get in because the door was locked.
Pääsetkö huomenna elokuviin?
Can you make it to the movies tomorrow?
Hän pääsi yliopistoon.
He/she got into university.
Pääsin eroon vanhoista tavaroistani.
I got rid of my old things.
Milloin pääset töistä?
When do you get off work?
Mnemonics
- Think of 'päästä' as 'passing through' - both start with 'p' and involve movement from one state to another.
- Associate with 'past' in English - to get past something is to päästä through it.
- The 'pää' (head) leads the way when you're trying to 'päästä' (get to) somewhere.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Antonyms
Example Wordforms
Cultural Context
A very versatile and frequently used verb in Finnish that appears in many contexts from physical movement to achievement. The concept of 'getting somewhere' or 'getting through something' is central to Finnish expressions of success and progress.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'päästä' means 'to get to/reach/access', 'päättää' means 'to decide' or 'to end/finish'. Both derive from 'pää' (head/end) but have different grammatical constructions and meanings.
This word:
Pääsin vihdoin kotiin.
I finally got home.
Confused word:
Päätin lähteä kotiin.
I decided to go home.
Notes: Both verbs are commonly used but in completely different contexts. 'Päästä' typically requires an illative or allative case complement (to somewhere), while 'päättää' often takes an object or a clause.
Mnemonic: 'Päästä' has 's' for 'success' in reaching somewhere; 'päättää' has 't' for 'terminating' or 'thinking' (deciding).
Explanation: 'Päästä' means 'to get to/reach' (intransitive), while 'päästää' means 'to let go/release' (transitive). 'Päästää' is causative - making something/someone get free.
This word:
Pääsin vankilasta.
I got out of prison.
Notes: 'Päästä' describes your own movement or achievement, while 'päästää' describes allowing or causing someone/something else to move or be released.
Mnemonic: 'Päästää' has an extra 'ä' - think of it as having an extra action: you're making something else 'päästä'.