Sekoittavat

Sekoittavat is the third-person plural present indicative form of the Finnish verb sekoittaa, meaning to mix, blend, or stir, and also to confuse or muddle. It is used when the subject is plural, as in “he sekoittavat” or “ne sekoittavat,” translated as “they mix” or “they are mixing.” The corresponding infinitive is sekoittaa.

Etymology and forms: The verb sekoittaa derives from the root sekoit-, linked to the noun sekoitus (mixture). The present tense ending -vat marks third-person plural in Finnish. Other common forms include sekoitan (I mix), sekoitat (you mix), and sekoittavat (they mix). Related nouns include sekoitus (mixture) and sekoittaminen (mixing or blending). The present participle sekoittava means “mixing,” and sekoittaminen refers to the act or process of mixing.

Usage: Sekoittavat is commonly used in cooking, science, and everyday language. In cooking: “Kokit sekoittavat kastiketta” means “The cooks are mixing the sauce.” In laboratory or manufacturing contexts: “Tekijät sekoittavat näytteet ennen analysointia” means “The workers mix the samples before analysis.” Figuratively, it can describe causing confusion or muddling matters: “He sekoittaa asiat” or “He sekoittavat tilanteen” meaning they mix up or confuse things.

Notes: Finnish verbs are highly inflected, and sekoittavat requires a direct object when used transitively. The form is useful for distinguishing subject number and aspect in sentences. In neutral, formal writing, sekoittavat appears as a straightforward present-tense description of multiple subjects performing the action of mixing or blending.