Piiloudumme

Piiloudumme is a Finnish verb form meaning “we hide ourselves” or “we are hiding,” and it is the present tense, first-person plural form of the reflexive verb piiloutua, which means to hide oneself or to go into hiding. The form is used when the subject is “we” and the action involves concealing or withdrawing from view.

Morphology and usage: Piiloudumme consists of the stem piiloudu- plus the present tense ending -mme, which marks the first-person plural in Finnish. The verb is reflexive, indicating that the action is performed by the subject onto itself. It can describe literal hiding (for example taking cover) as well as figurative withdrawal from attention or public life.

Semantic nuance: The nuance of piiloudumme depends on context. In narrative or descriptive speech it can convey a deliberate concealment in response to danger, a temporary retreat, or a strategic withdrawal from a situation. Like other Finnish reflexive verbs, it emphasizes the subject’s own action toward concealment rather than an external agent.

Examples: Me piiloudumme pensaiden taa. We hide ourselves behind the bushes. In a different context: He piiloutuu kaupungin melusta, and we respond with piiloudumme, depending on the speaker.

See also: piiloutua, piilo, piilopaikka.

Note: piiloudumme is specific to first-person plural conjugation of piiloutua and is distinct from other persons and numbers in the verb’s full paradigm.