Suojaavat

Suojaavat is a Finnish verb form. It is the third-person plural present indicative form of the verb suojata, which means to protect or safeguard. In English it corresponds to “they protect” or “they safeguard.” The form is used when the subject performing the action is plural, such as when referring to multiple people or things.

Morphology and usage

The base verb suojata belongs to Finnish verb conjugation patterns that add the ending -vat for third-person plural in the present tense. Therefore, sentences using suorauvat describe ongoing protective actions by several subjects. Example: He suojaavat lapsiaan verkon vaaroilta (They protect their children from online risks). Another example with multiple subjects: Yritykset ja viranomaiset suojaavat asiakkaidensa tietoja.

Notes on nuance

Suojaavat emphasizes ongoing or habitual protection in the present tense. It is not a noun or adjective; its function is strictly verbal. The meaning remains close to “protects” in everyday use and can appear in contexts ranging from personal safety to information security and legal protections.

Related forms and etymology

The root suoj- is related to protection or shielding, and the infinitive suojata denotes the act of protecting. Related nouns include suoja (protection, shield) and adjectives like suojava (protective, shielding). The form suojaavat is one of several inflected forms that Finnish verbs adopt to express person, number, tense, and mood.

See also

Suojata, suoja, suojava.