Hälyttää

Hälyttää is a Finnish verb that translates to "to alarm," "to alert," or "to sound an alarm" in English. It describes the action of producing a loud noise or signal to warn of danger, to attract attention, or to indicate a problem. This can range from a fire alarm sounding in a building to a car horn honking to signal a hazard.

The word hälyttää is commonly used in contexts involving safety and emergencies. For example, a smoke detector hälyttää when it detects smoke, and a burglar alarm hälyttää when it senses unauthorized entry. It can also be used in a more general sense, such as when a phone rings, indicating an incoming call that requires attention. The act of hälyttää serves to immediately bring a situation to someone's notice, often necessitating a swift response.

Beyond literal alarms, hälyttää can also be used metaphorically to suggest a sense of unease or a warning sign. For instance, an unusual pattern in data might "hälyttää" to a potential issue, or a friend's strange behavior might "hälyttää" concern. In these instances, the verb implies a feeling of apprehension or a call to investigate further.