Lopettaa

Lopettaa is a Finnish verb meaning to end, to stop, to discontinue, or to terminate. It is used for bringing an activity, process, or ongoing action to a conclusion, as well as for stopping a condition such as a bleeding or a habit. The nuance is often deliberate and definitive, implying a decision or administrative act rather than a mere pause.

Usage and scope

Lopettaa is transitive and typically takes a direct object in connection with what is being ended, for example, lopettaa harrastus (to give up a hobby), lopettaa projektin (to end the project), or lopettaa tupakointi (to quit smoking). It can also describe stopping a process or operation, for instance verenvuoto lopetettiin (the bleeding was stopped) or toiminta lopetettiin (the operation/activities were terminated). In addition to active forms, Finnish uses passive or impersonal constructions such as lopetetaan (it is being stopped) and lopetettu (stopped) in participial form.

Etymology and related forms

Lopettaa derives from loppu meaning end, with the common Finnish suffix pattern that yields a transitive verb. Related terms include loppua (to end/be coming to an end), lopetus (the ending/ceasing), and keskeyttää (to interrupt), which is often used when the cessation is temporary or unintended.

Conjugation notes

Present tense forms: minä lopetan, sinä lopetat, hän/hänen lopettaa, me lopetamme, te lopetatte, he lopettavat. The perfect forms include olen lopettanut (I have stopped). Past tense forms include lopetin, lopetit, lopetti, lopetimme, lopetitte, lopettivat. The imperative is lopeta.

Examples

Hän lopetti tupakoinnin. The project was terminated: Projekti lopetettiin. He decided to end the plan: He päättivät lopettaa suunnitelman.