Loistaa

Loistaa is a Finnish verb meaning to shine, glow, or glitter. It describes something that emits light, such as the sun, stars, lamps, or a polished surface. The term is also used figuratively to indicate brilliance or outstanding quality, for example in performances, appearances, or achievements.

The related noun forms include loiste, meaning glow or radiance, and loisto, meaning splendor or brilliance. From these stems, adjectives like loistava (brilliant, splendid) and adverbs like loistavasti (brilliantly) are derived. The verb is commonly encountered in everyday language and in literary contexts, both for literal light and for metaphorical brightness.

Conjugation and usage notes: in contemporary Finnish, loistaa appears in present tense as loistaa (they/it shines), past tense as loisti (shone), and perfect forms such as on loistanut (has shone). It is used with inanimate and animate subjects when describing light or radiance, and it frequently appears in idiomatic expressions that emphasize excellence or vivid appearance, for example describing a day, a view, a performance, or a person’s demeanor as loistava or loistaa silmissä.

Examples: Aurinko loistaa taivaalla. Tässä tilaisuudessa esitys loistaa. Hänen suorituksensa loistaa kilpailussa. In Finnish, loistaa can thus convey both literal illumination and figurative distinction.