Rikkoutumaan

Rikkoutumaan is a Finnish non-finite verb form, the third infinitive of the verb rikkoutua. The core meaning is the process of becoming broken or damaged, i.e., a transition toward a state in which something is no longer whole or functional. The form is used to express prospective, contingent, or ongoing development toward that outcome.

Grammatical notes and usage context: The third infinitive is formed with the suffix -maan or -mään, as in rikkoutumaan. It appears in non-finite clauses and in constructions with auxiliary or modal verbs to indicate future or potential states. In practice, rikkoutumaan tends to emphasize the progression toward breaking rather than the moment of breaking itself, and it is typically found in more formal or written Finnish, or in dictionaries and descriptive grammar.

Semantic nuance: Rikkoutumaan highlights the process of deterioration or damage and often implies a risk or likelihood of reaching the broken state. It contrasts with rikkoutua, which centers more on the event of breaking itself. The distinction between these forms helps speakers convey whether they are focusing on the occurrence (the break happening) or the path toward that outcome (the object gradually becoming broken).

Related terms: The noun rikkoutuminen denotes the act or state of breaking, while related adjectives such as rikkoutunut or rikkinäinen describe something that is already broken or damaged. The topic sits within broader discussions of damage, wear, and mechanical reliability.

See also: rikkoutua, rikkoutuminen, rikkinäisyys, vahinko.