Vihjaili

Vihjaili is the third-person singular past tense form of the Finnish verb vihjailla, meaning to hint or insinuate indirectly. It is used to describe someone who suggests something without stating it outright, often conveying a subtle or evasive message. The form commonly appears in narrative prose, journalism, and dialogue.

As a word, vihjailla stems from the concept of a hint or insinuation, with the related noun forms vihjaus (a hint or insinuation) and vihjailu (the act of hinting). The related verb forms include vihjailee (he/she hints) and various past forms such as vihjailivat (they hinted). The adjective vihjaileva describes someone who tends to hint.

Usage notes and nuances: In Finnish, vihjaili is used when reporting indirect suggestion rather than direct statements. It often carries a tone of restraint, politeness, or implied meaning, and can imply suspicion or strategic communication depending on context. It is commonly followed by clauses introduced with että (“that”) to indicate what was being hinted at.

Examples: Hän vihjaili, että hallitus aikoo tehdä leikkauksia. Translation: He hinted that the government would implement cuts. The phrasing typically avoids a bold claim and instead signals an indirect proposition or concern.

See also: vihjailla, vihjaus, vihjailu.