Koskettavat

Koskettavat is a Finnish linguistic form that serves as the third-person plural present indicative of the verb koskettaa, meaning to touch. In simple terms, koskettavat translates to “they touch.” The form is used whenever the subject of the sentence is plural and performing the action of touching in the present time.

Grammatically, the verb koskettaa is conjugated as follows in the present tense: minä kosketan, sinä kosketat, hän koskettaa, me kosketamme, te koskette, he koskettavat. Therefore, koskettavat appears whenever the subject is “they” or when referring to multiple actors who are touching something or someone.

Usage examples:

- Lapset koskettavat toisiaan. (The children touch each other.)

- Kauppiaat koskettavat tuotteitaan. (The merchants touch their products.)

- Nämä kokemukset koskettavat minua. (These experiences move me.)

Beyond literal physical contact, koskettavat can also express figurative or emotional impact in everyday Finnish when the subject performs the action of touching in a way that influences or affects something or someone. The verb is commonly used in both concrete descriptions, such as touching objects, and in more abstract contexts, describing how events or actions affect people.

Relation to related words: koskettaa is the infinitive form meaning “to touch,” and kosketus is the noun form meaning “touch” or “contact.” The root kosket- underpins related derivatives and participial forms in Finnish grammar.

See also: koskettaa, kosketus.