Eläyttää

Eläyttää is a Finnish verb that primarily means to feed or to provide sustenance for living beings. It encompasses the act of giving food, drink, and other necessities to sustain life. This can apply to a wide range of subjects, from feeding domestic animals to providing for one's family. The word is derived from the Finnish noun "eläin," meaning animal, which highlights the fundamental connection to living creatures and their need for nourishment.

Beyond the literal act of providing food, "eläyttää" can also be used in a more figurative sense. It can refer to the process of raising or bringing up someone or something, implying care and ongoing provision. For example, one might "eläyttää" a child, meaning to raise and care for them. In certain contexts, it can also imply supporting or maintaining something, ensuring its continued existence or operation, much like providing the resources needed for something to thrive. The term emphasizes the active role of providing what is necessary for life and well-being.