Vihjailevat

Vihjailevat is a Finnish verb form meaning they insinuate or they hint at something indirectly. It is the present tense, third-person plural form of the verb vihjailla, which means to hint or to insinuate. The form is used when the subject is plural, for example: He vihjailevat, ettei projekti ole valmis yet—they are hinting that the project isn’t ready.

Etymology and related forms: The verb vihjailla comes from the noun vihjaus, “a hint” or “an insinuation,” with the common Finnish verb suffix -illa. The related adjective vihjaileva means “hinting” or “insinuating,” and the noun vihjaileminen or vihjaileminen refers to the act of insinuating.

Usage and nuance: Vihjailevat conveys indirectness and nuance; the speaker or writer suggests something without stating it outright. It often carries a subtle or potentially negative connotation, depending on context, and is common in everyday speech, journalism, and literature when describing indirect implications, sarcasm, or strategic disclosures.

Grammar notes: Vihjailevat is a finite verb form with a plural subject in the present tense. Other tense forms exist (vihjailevat → present; vihjasivat → past), and the negative form is eivät vihjaile. The form can appear in sentences describing people, actions, or dialogue that implies rather than declares.

Translations: The closest English equivalents are “they insinuate” or “they hint (that).” In broader translations, vihjailla can be rendered as “to suggest indirectly,” “to imply,” or “to give a hint.” See also: vihjaileva, vihjaus, vihjailu.