Kurkistavat

Kurkistavat is the present tense, third-person plural form of the Finnish verb kurkistaa. The core meaning is to peep, to glance quickly, or to peek out, often implying a brief, discreet look rather than a long gaze. The action can be literal—peering through a doorway or around a corner—as well as figurative, describing a quick check or glimpse.

In use, kurkistaa conveys a sense of momentary curiosity or hesitation. It is commonly found in narrative and descriptive contexts to depict characters who are looking to see what is happening without revealing themselves or committing to a longer gaze. The form kurkistavat corresponds to “they peek” or “they are peeking.”

Morphology and related forms: kurkistaa is a regular Finnish verb. The present tense plural form is kurkistavat, built from the stem kurkist- with the present-tense suffix -avat (the exact suffix can vary with vowel harmony). Other present-tense forms include kurkistan (I peep), kurkistat (you peep), kurkistaa (he/she peeks), kurkistamme (we peep), and kurkistatte (you all peep). The verb’s root and its derivatives support both literal peeking and, in a broader sense, brief or cautious glancing.

Etymology and usage notes: kurkistaa originates from Finnish roots tied to opening or peering. The word is neutral in tone and widely understood in everyday language, literature, and journalism. It often carries a subtle nuance of discretion or curiosity rather than sustained attention.