Valataan

Valataan is a Finnish verb form used primarily in the passive voice to denote that a substance is poured, cast, or filled into a mold or container. In technical and instructional writing, valataan helps describe processes without naming the actor, focusing on the action itself. The form is associated with activities such as pouring liquids, casting molten materials, or filling molds in industrial, construction, and culinary contexts.

Etymology and grammar: Valataan is derived from the verb valata (to pour, to cast) and is produced with the standard Finnish passive suffix. In Finnish, the passive form is commonly used in procedural and descriptive text to generalize actions. The infinitive forms related to valataan include valata and valaa, with valatan variants appearing in other moods or tenses. The exact morphological details can vary with dialect and register, but the core meaning remains pouring or casting.

Usage and scope: The word appears most often in contexts describing processes rather than agents. In construction, for example, concrete or other materials may be described as valataan into formwork. In metalworking and manufacturing, molten material may be described as valataan into molds. The form is also found in manuals and standard operating procedures to convey steps in a neutral, instruction-focused manner.

See also: valaa, valaminen, Finnish grammar, passive voice in Finnish, pouring.