Hoidetaan

Hoidetaan is the present passive form of the Finnish verb hoitaa, meaning to care for, to treat, or to manage. In English it is typically rendered as is/are being cared for or is/are being treated. It is used when the agent performing the action is unknown or not specified, or when the statement emphasizes the care that is being given rather than who gives it.

Grammatical notes: Hoidetaan is a passive verb form that does not indicate the doer. It can refer to people, objects, or situations receiving care or treatment. The subject of the sentence is the thing being cared for, while the agent may be omitted. For example: Potilas hoidetaan sairaalassa. means “The patient is being treated in the hospital.” Käytännön asiat hoidetaan means “The practical matters are being taken care of.”

Usage context: The form is common in healthcare, social services, maintenance, and other contexts where care, treatment, or management is described as ongoing or routine. It contrasts with active forms such as hoidan (I take care) or hoidamme (we take care), which specify who performs the action.

Etymology: Hoidetaan comes from the verb hoitaa (to care for, to treat) plus the Finnish present passive suffix, forming a generalized, agentless statement about ongoing care.

See also: hoito (care, treatment), hoitotyö (care work), hoitopaikka (care facility), hoitolaitos (care institution).