Tartuttaa

Tartuttaa is a Finnish transitive verb meaning to cause the transmission of an infection or contagion to another person, or to spread something contagious such as a disease, bacteria, or a virus. It can also be used metaphorically to spread non-physical things like ideas, emotions, or attitudes.

Etymology and form: Tartuttaa is derived from tartunta, meaning infection or contagion, with the causative suffix -uttaa, indicating that the subject causes another to become infected. It is related to the intransitive verb tarttua, which means to catch or to cling. As a verb, tartuttaa is used with a direct object representing what is being spread (for example taudin, the disease) and an indirect object indicating the recipients (for example kollegoihinsa, to his colleagues).

Usage in health and disease contexts: In public health and medical language, tartuttaa describes the act of one person or source transmitting an infection to others. Common constructions include "tartuttaa taudin" or "tartuttaa taudin kollegoihinsa." The term is often contrasted with tartunta (infection) and tartuntariski (risk of contagion), or with tarttuva, meaning contagious.

Metaphorical use: Tartuttaa can also describe the spread of non-medical phenomena, such as emotions, attitudes, or enthusiasm. For example, "Hänen puheensa tartutti pelon yleisöön" illustrates a figurative transmission of a mood or state.

See also: tartunta, tartuntariski, tarttuva, tarttua.