Huolestua

Huolestua is a Finnish verb meaning to become worried or to grow anxious. It describes a change of emotional state in response to information, events, or situations. The term is used for internal feelings rather than external actions, and it often appears in everyday speech as well as in news reporting.

Etymology and related forms: Huolestua is built from the noun huoli, meaning worry or concern, with the verb-forming suffix -stua, which signals a change of state. The related verb huolestuttaa means to cause someone else to worry, while the adjective form huolestunut means worried or concerned, and huolestuttava describes something that is worrisome.

Usage and grammar: Huolestua is an intransitive verb. The thing that triggers concern is commonly expressed with phrases like uutisista or jostakin, or with a clause describing a situation. Examples include: Hän huolestui uutisista. (He became worried by the news.) Terveydentila huolestuttaa minua. (Her health concerns me / makes me worried.) The verb has regular conjugations in line with other Finnish verbs ending in -ua, such as huolestuin, huolestuit, huolestui, huolestumme, huolestuitte, huolestuivat.

Nuance and usage: Huolestua is common in both colloquial and formal Finnish, often used to discuss personal concerns, family matters, public health, security, or political developments. It can express a personal emotional response or, in a broader sense, public anxiety about ongoing situations.

See also: huoli, huolestunut, huolestuttava, huolestuttaa.