Jutustaa

Jutustaa is a Finnish verb meaning to tell stories, narrate, or chat in a light, informal way. It commonly refers to recounting anecdotes or engaging in casual storytelling rather than delivering a formal or factual account.

The word is derived from the noun juttu, meaning story, tale, or matter. Jutustaa combines this root with a verbal suffix used to form action verbs. Related forms include jutustella (to chat or tell stories informally) and jutustelu (the act of storytelling or small talk).

Usage and nuance: Jutustaa carries a warm, conversational tone and is typical in everyday speech among friends, family, and children. It emphasizes anecdotal or entertaining narration more than precise reporting. In formal writing, kertoa tarinoita or kertoa juttuja would be preferred.

Examples: Hän jutustaa lapsille satuja illalla. (He tells stories to the children in the evenings.) Me jutustelimme kahvin ääressä pitkään. (We chatted for a long time over coffee.) Nuoret jutustelivat kaupungin tapahtumista. (The youths chatted about city events.)

Related terms: Juttu (story, matter), jutustelu (small talk), and the verb jutustella are closely connected. The word is predominantly used in casual Finnish and is less common in formal contexts.