Heilutamme

Heilutamme is a Finnish verb form meaning “we wave” or “we are waving.” It is the first-person plural present indicative form of the verb heiluttaa, which means to wave, to wag, or to swing something.

Formation and usage: In Finnish, the present tense 1st person plural typically ends with -mme. For heiluttaa, the stem is heiluta- and the 1st plural present becomes heilutamme. The form is used when the subject is “we” and the action is happening in the present. For example: Me heilutamme lippua juhlapäivänä. Me heilutamme käsiämme tervehtiessämme ystäviä.

Etymology: Heiluttaa derives from the stem heiluta- with the causative-like suffix -uttaa, related to the idea of causing something to move or swing. The root idea is movement such as waving, shaking, or swaying.

Usage notes: Heilutamme is neutral and common in everyday Finnish. It contrasts with forms for other persons, such as minä heilutan (I wave) or te, teemme heiluttavat? Not correct; te heilutatte (you all wave) is the appropriate second-person plural present. The expression can describe ceremonial, celebratory, or informal waving actions.

See also: related forms include heiluttaa (to wave), heiluttaminen (waving as a process), and heiluttajan? (various nominal derivatives). The term is primarily a literal description of motion, rather than a metaphorical one.