Kurkistimme

Kurkistimme is the Finnish verb form meaning “we peeked” or “we peeped.” It is the first-person plural imperfect of the verb kurkistaa, which means to peep, to glance quickly, or to look through a small opening. The form illustrates how Finnish verbs combine person, number, and tense; kurkistimme uses the -imme ending to indicate we in the past tense.

In addition to this past tense form, kurkistaa is a regular Finnish verb. The present tense forms are kurkistan, kurkistat, kurkistaa, kurkistamme, kurkistatte, kurkistavat. The past tense forms include kurkistin, kurkistit, kurkisti, kurkistimme, kurkistitte, kurkistivat. The word appears in both spoken and written Finnish and is commonly understood outside highly specialized contexts.

Usage and nuance: kurkistimme is typically used for a brief or tentative look, either literal (peering through a door or window) or figurative (getting a quick glimpse behind the scenes). It often conveys a sense of curiosity or caution rather than a long observation. Example contexts include narrative prose, dialogues, or reports describing a short, cautious glance.

Related terms include kurkistaa (to peek), kurkistus (a peek or glance, the act of peeking), and kurkistelma (the act or tendency of peeking). These forms illustrate Finnish verb morphology and how a single verb can express different persons and tenses through systematic suffixes.