käyvät
Wordform Details
Translation: to goto visitto attend
Part of Speech: verb
Inflection Type:
third-personpluralpresenttenseIs Dictionary Form: No
Dictionary Form Details
Lemma: käydä
Translation: to go; to visit; to drop by; to work; to function; to happen; to suit; to fit (verb)
Etymology: Käydä comes from Proto-Finnic *käüdäk, which ultimately derives from Proto-Uralic *käwe- meaning 'to go, to walk'. Unlike many Finnish words that have Indo-European cognates, käydä is a native Uralic word. It's related to Estonian käima (to go, to walk) and distantly to Hungarian kelni (to rise, get up). The word showcases the typical Finnish sound change where the Proto-Uralic *w became *ü in Proto-Finnic.
Example Usage
Käyn kaupassa joka päivä.
I go to the store every day.
Kävitkö eilen elokuvissa?
Did you go to the movies yesterday?
Kello ei käy.
The clock doesn't work.
Tämä paita käy sinulle hyvin.
This shirt suits you well.
Mitä täällä käy?
What's happening here?
Käyn usein isoäitini luona.
I often visit my grandmother.
Mnemonics
- Think of 'käydä' as 'to guide' - when you visit somewhere, you guide yourself there.
- The 'käy' sound is like saying 'K.O.' - you 'go' and 'knock out' your tasks when you visit places.
- Associate with 'kayak' - a vehicle you use to 'go' places on water.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Cultural Context
Käydä is one of the most versatile and frequently used verbs in Finnish. It's used in many idiomatic expressions and has multiple meanings depending on context. In Finnish culture, 'käydä kylässä' (to visit) is an important social activity, reflecting the value placed on hospitality and social connections.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: While 'käydä' means 'to go' or 'to visit' (among other meanings), 'kävellä' specifically means 'to walk'. They share etymological roots but have distinct uses.
Confused word:
Kävelen kauppaan joka päivä.
I walk to the store every day.
Notes: Käydä is more general and can refer to visiting by any means of transportation, while kävellä specifically refers to walking.
Mnemonic: Kävellä has an extra 'el' in the middle - think of the 'l's as legs walking.
Explanation: Käydä means 'to go/visit/function' while käyttää means 'to use'. They look similar but have completely different meanings.
This word:
Kello ei käy.
The clock doesn't work.
Confused word:
Käytän kelloa joka päivä.
I use a clock every day.
Notes: Both are common verbs but with distinct meanings that aren't interchangeable.
Mnemonic: Käyttää has an extra 't' - think of the 't' as a tool that you use.