Käänny

Käänny is a Finnish verb form functioning as the second-person singular imperative of the verb kääntyä, meaning to turn, bend, or change direction. It can express a literal turn of movement, a turn toward something, or a figurative turn such as changing direction in behavior, opinion, or beliefs.

In everyday use, käänny appears most often in directions and signs: for example, Käänny oikealle means “Turn right.” The form is also used with directional or deictic complements, such as Käänny minuun, meaning “Turn toward me.” Beyond physical turning, käänny can be used in contexts of turning toward a new path or course, including religious or ideological conversion. For instance, Käänny kristinuskoon or Käänny uskontoosi can mean “Convert to Christianity” or “Turn to your faith.”

The verb kääntyä is intransitive, and its imperative käänny directs a single person. In plural or polite forms, Finnish uses a different imperative form, typically involving a restructured verb form such as Kääntykää or Käännykää, depending on the context and nuance.

Etymologically, käänny derives from the root kään- in kääntyä, related to turning or curving, with inflectional endings marking mood, person, and number.

Summary: käänny is primarily the imperative of turn/redirect, most commonly heard in directions (Turn right) but also employed in figurative expressions related to changing one’s direction or beliefs. Its exact meaning depends on context and accompanying case or complement.